Marina Machete, representative of Palmela, was crowned Miss Portugal 2023. She is the first transgender person to win the female beauty contest. She will represent Portugal in the 72nd edition of Miss Universe to be held in El Salvador.
The second runner up was Elisabete Abreu, born in Estreito de Camara de Lobos, and the first runner up was Diana Lopez, who represented Guimaraes. "Congratulations to all the finalists who dedicated themselves and honored their titles in the national final," wrote the official page of the contest when announcing the results.
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‘For many years I was not able to compete’
Machete is 28 years old and said, "For many years I was not able to compete, but I am happy to finally be part of this incredible group of finalists." The new Miss Portugal added, "Proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal," in a post on Instagram hours before being named the winner.
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With the victory, Machete becomes the third trans person to participate in Miss Universe, the second to go to El Salvador this year. Angela Ponce of Spain was the first to do so in 2018, which only allowed biological females to compete until 2012.
