In a historic moment for the Miss France beauty pageant, Angélique Angarni-Filopon, a 34-year-old flight attendant from Martinique, became the oldest contestant to claim the crown.
The victory marks a turning point for the competition, which only recently scrapped its age limit of 24 to embrace greater inclusivity.
Crowned in a dazzling white gown on Saturday, Angarni-Filopon’s win comes after years of perseverance. In 2011, she narrowly missed the opportunity to compete in Miss France when she placed as runner-up in Miss Martinique.
Now, over a decade later, she has shattered expectations and inspired women worldwide with her message: “It’s never too late.”
The pageant, which has been a French cultural staple since 1920, introduced sweeping rule changes in 2022 to “change with the times.”
It now allows married women, mothers, and contestants with tattoos to participate, while also welcoming transgender women. These reforms have reinvigorated the competition, attracting 7.43 million viewers to TF1’s four-hour broadcast of this year’s event.
Speaking after her win, Angarni-Filopon addressed the focus on her age:
“People are always talking about my age. I think I am well-preserved. I have not got wrinkles. The thirties are perhaps the best age.” She added, “My short hair and my age absolutely don’t define me. In my twenties, I spent a lot of time trying to find out who I was. Now, I’ve embraced myself fully.”
The Miss France pageant remains a blend of tradition and modernity, with contestants judged equally by public vote and a panel of female judges.
Angarni-Filopon, who will now enjoy a €60,000 salary, a flat near the Arc de Triomphe, and a new car during her reign, hopes her triumph inspires others to pursue their dreams regardless of age.
“You’d be surprised at the number of messages I’ve received from women who want to change careers, countries, or lives but think it’s impossible,” she said. “It’s never too late.”
This year’s competition also featured other milestones in diversity.
Thirty candidates, including doctors and dentists, participated, and last year’s winner, Eve Gilles, made waves as the first Miss France to win with a pixie haircut.
Despite debates in other countries about the relevance of beauty pageants, Miss France continues to evolve, showcasing women who defy stereotypes and challenge traditional standards of beauty.
