The Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez has been crowned Miss World 2026, emerging from a field of 111 contestants at a spectacular finale held on Saturday, September 5, in Vietnam.
Mola finished ahead of Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern, who was named first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as second runner-up.
The 24-year-old educator, communicator and community advocate becomes the Dominican Republic’s second Miss World, 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez won the country’s first crown in 1982.
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Mola succeeds Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who made history in 2025 as the first Thai woman to win the Miss World title.
Beyond the crown, Mola’s victory was driven by her education-focused Beauty With a Purpose platform, through which she has championed English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.
During the decisive question-and-answer session, Mola explained why education is at the centre of her humanitarian mission.
“My Beauty With a Purpose is to take English programme to educate our communities because I believe when they know this language, the opportunities they will get and doors that will open onto their lives are huge,” she said.
Mola also challenged traditional perceptions of beauty, arguing that women should be defined by the impact they create.
“As a woman I want to bring to the table a woman who knows that physical beauty is not all that. That her purpose is bigger than herself,” she said, adding that as a teacher, she wants children to understand that life is about “purpose and serving.”
For Uganda, the global pageant provided a platform for Miss Uganda Trivia Elle Muhoza to highlight issues affecting women, children and vulnerable communities.
Muhoza represented Uganda with a platform focused on fighting gender-based violence, protecting minority groups, promoting human rights, building resilience and supporting community development.
Her Miss World journey also strengthened her advocacy against gender-based violence, as she called on women to acquire skills, leave their comfort zones, earn their own money and become financially independent to reduce their vulnerability and dependence on men.
Muhoza also used fashion to communicate a message of purpose, appearing at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest in “The Layers of Life,” a gown designed by Keesha Abdallah and inspired by the seven anatomical layers involved in a Caesarean section, celebrating motherhood and the journey of childbirth.
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Her participation ensured that issues affecting women, children and vulnerable communities remained part of Uganda’s voice on the global stage.
Outgoing queen Opal Suchata Chuangsri congratulated the contestants and reflected on the responsibility of carrying forward the Miss World legacy.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and for the next Miss World. We will always be by your side as a family,” Suchata said.
As the blue crown changed hands, attention now turns to Africa, with Tanzania set to host the next Miss World Festival in 2027.