60-year-old Miss Buenos Aires fell short of Miss Universe, but garners attention around the globe
Onstage at Miss Buenos Aires, I competed against women from 18 to 73 years old. I saw contestants of all sizes and physical features. My fellow competitors included women with high school degrees, nurses, security personnel, and even a plumber.
- 4 months ago
July 28, 2024
Alejandra won Miss Buenos Aires at age 60. | Photo courtesy of Alejandra Rodríguez
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina ꟷ It is often said that the 60s are the new 40s. People live longer, take better care of themselves, and have access to more opportunities. We see a paradigm shift taking place in terms of age. So, at the age of 60 years old, I took the advice of a friend and decided to participate in the Miss Buenos Aires competition – a precursor to Miss Universe.
Returning to pageantry evoked memories from my first contest at 17 years old. At 60, I felt concerned about stereotypes and prejudice associated with my age, yet I wanted to do something different; to try something new. My friend got into pageantry at 55, and she helped me overcome my worries. Reinventing myself, I joined women from all over the province of Buenos Aires and made my way onstage.
60-year-old beauty pageant competitor inspires women of all ages
My friend Roxana started modelling after turning 50 years old and experienced great success. She signed up for an exclusive modeling school through the Francis Lescano agency. Yet it never occurred to me to do it myself.
One day, Roxana found out about the Miss Buenos Aires pageant and signed up. She called me on the phone and encouraged me to sign up with her. “Are there age categories in the competition,” I asked her. I imagined I would compete with other women in my age range. “No,” Roxana told me. “Anyone can register from 18 years old and up.” That scared me.
Competitions exist throughout the world for people over 50. However, this was the first time women my age could compete in Miss Universe. Since 1958 until the end of last year, Miss Universe had an age limit of 28. Today the only restriction is that you must be of legal age. Another important change included allowing married, divorced, and pregnant women to compete, as well as mothers.
Onstage at Miss Buenos Aires, I competed against women from 18 to 73 years old. I saw contestants of all sizes and physical features. My fellow competitors included women with high school degrees, nurses, security personnel, and even a plumber. All kinds of professionals made for a very diverse slate. When I joined the competition, my phone began ringing as friends called saying they felt inspired. “If you can do it at 60 years old,” they said, “we can do it too.”
Despite not winning Miss Universe Argentina, competitor becomes a global phenomenon
After taking the crown at Miss Buenos Aires, I engaged in a flurry of activities. I took public speaking and make-up classes through Zoom. They offered practical classes on the catwalk. I learned how a Miss Universe competitor walks differently than a model, and I fielded questions about my objective in the pageant.
Then, on May 25, 2024, I joined the Miss Universe Argentina competition representing the largest province amongst all the competitors. It felt important to me that I emphasize the self-confidence I strove for all my life. As a child I lacked confidence, but I constantly worked to improve myself. Evidently, that work paid off.
[While I did not win the chance to represent Argentina in Miss Universe], participating in the competition created a “before and after” scenario in my life. While surprising and unexpected, I love that people from around the world have reached out to me. From Italy to Spain, and countries throughout Europe, I participated in around 70 interviews. The boom of attention led to articles about me around the globe.
I went from an anonymous woman to experiencing unexpected fame, inspiring me to take on new projects. I want to engage in journalism related to tourism and fashion, to continue modeling, and focus my messages on healthy living and fitness. Mainly, I want to inspire people.
As a shy child growing up with my grandparents, I had an insecure personality. When it came to men, I had many options but the ones I always wanted seemed to get away. I married years ago, but found I am better alone than in bad company. Much time has passed since I was in a relationship, and I have no children. I learned to provide myself with security
A message to women on caring for oneself during aging
The older we get, the more we must care for and maintain ourselves. While always a physically active person who ate healthy, lately I focus on natural foods. For five years, I exclusively ate vegetarian but have begun to incorporate meat. Fruits and vegetables remain a staple part of my diet and I avoid flour, but not to an extreme.
Three times a week, I make my way to the gym. In between, I walk and engage in intermittent fasting. When health issues arise, I focus on natural treatments like radiofrequency, bio stimulation, and plasma injections. I don’t smoke and I drink little alcohol.
Being in nature remains important to me and I sunbathe my body in the summer, using sunscreen on my face and not exposing myself during peak hours. Yet, I love the beach and we need the Vitamin D. I make time for meditation and being around animals.
My intellectual life also remains important. As a journalist and lawyer, I worked for a time in the press at the House of Representatives, but now serve as a legal advisor to a hospital. All these things, I believe, keep me healthy, fit, and beautiful.
The experiences I had in the Miss Buenos Aires and Miss Argentina competitions will forever remain memorable ones.
