Miss World Ethiopia 2026 Crowns Ruth Yirgalem as New Titleholder
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — April 23, 2026 | Horn News Hub
A new titleholder has emerged in Ethiopia’s leading beauty pageant, as Ruth Yirgalem was officially crowned Miss World Ethiopia 2026 in a ceremony that highlighted elegance, purpose, and national pride.
The event, marked by vibrant displays of talent and cultural expression, brought together a competitive group of contestants. Organizers described the evening as a celebration of the beauty, intelligence, and capability of Ethiopian women, with participants demonstrating both artistic skill and social awareness.
Ruth Yirgalem stood out throughout the competition, earning recognition for her confidence, poise, and commitment to social impact. Her selection reflects the core values of the Miss World platform, particularly its long-standing “Beauty with a Purpose” mission, which emphasizes advocacy and community engagement alongside physical presentation.
As part of her win, Ruth received a prize of one million Ethiopian birr. She will go on to represent Ethiopia at the upcoming Miss World competition, scheduled to take place in Vietnam, where she is expected to compete on an international stage with contestants from across the globe.
The Miss World Ethiopia platform is led by Genet Tsegay, an international model and the 2013 titleholder, who now serves as the owner and director of the national pageant. Under her leadership, the competition has continued to position itself as a space for young women to amplify their voices and contribute to social change.
Representing the Ministry of Culture and Sport, State Minister for Art and Creative Development, Nebiyu Baye (Assistant Professor ), attended the event as a guest of honor and underscored the national significance of beauty and aesthetics. He stated that the pageant serves as an important platform through which Ethiopia is represented by outstanding young women, enabling the country’s identity, cultural heritage, and core values to be expressed and promoted on the global stage.He further noted that the Miss World Ethiopia pageant, which has been organized for the past 24 years, has played a sustained role in positioning Ethiopia within the international beauty arena.
According to him, the competition not only allows Ethiopia to engage with the global community but also strengthens its cultural visibility and representation. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the success of the event, while commending the organizers and staff for their longstanding efforts in preparing national representatives for international competitions. He also extended his best wishes to all contestants.
Organizers also acknowledged the efforts of all contestants, noting that the competition serves as a platform for empowerment and visibility beyond the crown itself.
The 2025 title was previously held by model Haset Dereje, whose tenure contributed to maintaining Ethiopia’s presence within the global pageant landscape.
With her new role, Ruth Yirgalem now carries both the recognition and responsibility that come with the crown, as she prepares to represent Ethiopia on one of the world’s most prominent beauty stages.
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