Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago is a national beauty pageant held annually since 1963, a year after Trinidad and Tobago's independence from the United Kingdom. The contest is meant to select a suitable delegate from both islands to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
History Trinidad debuted at Miss Universe in 1963, at which time the country used 'Trinidad' at its title. The first candidate was Jean Stodart, who competed at Miss Universe 1963 in the United States. Beginning in 1966, the country began to compete as 'Trinidad and Tobago' at the Miss Universe pageant.
International winners The country's representative in 1977, Janelle “Penny” Commissiong, became the first person of African ethnicity to win the Miss Universe contest, which was hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
In 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam captured the Miss Universe title in Hawaii, USA, becoming the second contestant from the country to win the title.
Miss Universe 1999 In May, 1999, the Miss Universe pageant was hosted at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. A record 84 nations were represented. The winner that year was Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana. This was also the first time that two women of African descent won on consecutive occasions, with the prior year's winner being Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago.
Titleholders
The winner of Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago represents her country at the Miss Universe pageant. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent. Trinidad & Tobago has had two Miss Universe winners since the pageant's inception in 1952.
Year Region Miss Trinidad/Tobago Placement at Miss Universe Special Award(s) Notes 2026 San Juan–Laventille Vinita Manoo colspan="2" Appointed by the national organization. 2025 Chaguanas Latifah Morris Unplaced Latifah assumed her national title after the original winner, Sihlé Letren, respectively, resigned from her roles. 2024 Morvant Jenelle Thongs Unplaced Miss Universe 2024 Miss Congeniality 2023 San Fernando Faith Gillezeau Unplaced 2022 Arouca Tya Jané Ramey Top 16 Crowns and Sashes Academy T&T - Stephen Jones directorship. colspan=6 2017 San Fernando Yvonne Clarke Unplaced Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago Organization — Jenny Douglass directorship. colspan=6 2014 Diego Martin Jevon King Unplaced 2013 Port of Spain Catherine Miller Unplaced Best National Costume (1st Runner-up) 2012 San Juan–Laventille Avionne Mark Unplaced Dean Ackin Directorship 2011 Port of Spain Gabrielle Walcott Unplaced Best National Costume (5th Runner-up) Ian Lee directorship. 2010 Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo La Toya Woods Unplaced Lia Marie Guavara (CNN TV6) directorship. 2009 colspan=5 2008 Port of Spain Anya Ayoung-Chee Unplaced Miss Trinidad and Tobago held by TallMan Foundation. 2007 colspan=5 2006 Tunapuna–Piarco Kenisha Thom Top 10 Best National Costume (Top 20) Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2004 1st Runner-up and before appointing Thom competed at Miss World 2004 — Miss World 2004. 2005 Tunapuna–Piarco Magdalene Walcott Top 15 Appointed after the Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2004, Cherly Ankrah withdrew for personal reasons. Port of Spain Cheryl Ankrah colspan=2 Withdrawal — Did not compete after being accused of not fulfilling her duties and becoming overweight. 2004 Port of Spain Danielle Jones 4th Runner-up Best National Costume (Top 10) 2003 San Fernando Faye Alibocus Top 10 2002 Princes Town Nasma Mohammed Unplaced 2001 Tunapuna–Piarco Alexia Charlerie Unplaced 2000 Port of Spain Heidi Ann Rostant Unplaced 1999 Diego Martin Nicole Simone Dyer Unplaced Best National Costume Miss Universe 1999 held in Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in history. 1998 Diego Martin Wendy Fitzwilliam Miss Universe 1998 Best National Costume 1997 Tunapuna–Piarco Margot Rita Bourgeois 2nd Runner-up 1996 Princes Town Michelle Khan Unplaced 1995 Port of Spain Arlene Peterkin Top 6 1994 Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo Lorca Chelsea Gatcliffe Unplaced 1993 Tobago Rachel Charles Unplaced 1992 colspan=5 1991 San Juan–Laventille Josie Ann Richards Unplaced 1990 Port of Spain Maryse De Gourville Unplaced 1989 Port of Spain Guenevere Helen Kelshall Unplaced 1988 Port of Spain Cheryl Ann Gordon Unplaced 1987 San Fernando Sheree Ann Denise Richards Unplaced 1986 Port of Spain Candace Jennings Unplaced 1985 San Juan–Laventille Brenda Joy Fahey Unplaced 1984 Port of Spain Gina Maria Tardieu Unplaced 1983 Tunapuna-Piarco Sandra William Unplaced 1982 Port of Spain Suzanne Traboulay Unplaced 1981 San Fernando Rohini Samaroo Unplaced 1980 Port of Spain Althea Ingrid Rocke Unplaced 1979 Port of Spain Marie Noelle Diaz Unplaced 1978 Port of Spain Sophia Titus Unplaced Miss Congeniality 1977 Port of Spain Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 Miss Photogenic 1976 Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo Margaret Elizabeth McFarlane Unplaced Miss Congeniality 1975 Tunapuna–Piarco Christine Mary Jackson Unplaced Miss Congeniality 1974 Port of Spain Stephanie Lee Pack Unplaced 1973 San Fernando Camella King Unplaced 1972 colspan=5 1971 San Fernando Sally Karamath Unplaced colspan=6 1966 Port of Spain Kathleen Hares Unplaced Miss Trinidad and Tobago supported by Ministry of community Development Culture and The Arts. Miss Trinidad 1965 colspan=5 1964 Port of Spain Julia Merlene Laurence Unplaced The last Miss Universe Trinidad as "Trinidad" representative. 1963 San Fernando Jean Stodart Unplaced Queen Carnival by National Carnival Committee (NCC).
See also Miss Trinidad and Tobago
References
External links Miss Universe Organization