Miss Universe Puerto Rico
Miss Universe Puerto Rico is a beauty pageant and organization in Puerto Rico. Established in 1952, it is responsible for selecting and preparing the delegate representing the archipelago and island in the international competition of Miss Universe, one of the Big Four beauty pageants.
Since 2018, the Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico is owned by the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group as the "Miss Universe Puerto Rico" pageant and organization. It is based in the headquarters of the subsidiary WAPA-TV, which broadcasts the final night of the pageant live from the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, the capital municipality of Puerto Rico. Under the motto "Se corona una, ganan todas", Yizette Cifredo, a television host, motivational speaker, writer, and former beauty queen, heads the pageant and organization as national director.
The reigning Miss Universe Puerto Rico is Zashely Alicea of Dorado, who was crowned on August 14, 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
History
From 1952 to 1995, the Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico was held by the businesswoman in the modeling and beauty industry Anna Santisteban, who operated it under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico." From 1996 to 1998, the television station Telemundo Puerto Rico acquired the franchise, naming it "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."From 1999 to 2002, the television station TeleOnce obtained the franchise, organizing it under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico Universe." From 2003 to 2009, Magali Febles, a beautician working with the delegates of Puerto Rico since the early 1990s, held the franchise, operating it under the same name. From 2010 to 2017, Luisito Vigoreaux and Desireé Lowry, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1995, held the franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."
Since 2018, the franchise is owned by the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group. The organization is based in the headquarters of subsidiary WAPA-TV, which is the broadcaster of the pageant. Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001, served as director from 2018 to 2021, when TV host, motivational speaker, writer, and former beauty queen Yizette Cifredo took over the role. In 2025, Hemisphere Media Group signed a multi-year contract with the Miss Universe Organization, extending its ownership over the franchise and broadcast rights of Miss Universe in Puerto Rico for 5 years, until 2030.
Selection
Traditionally, the castings of contestants for Miss Universe Puerto Rico begin in February. Representing a municipality, the delegates undergo months of training as part of the Heel Camp program, a series of comprehensive workshops led by various experts that focus on image, stage presence, communication, emotional intelligence, social service, leadership, and female empowerment. The prerecorded preliminary and live final night of the pageant are usually held in August. The winner of the title of Miss Puerto Rico Universe continues to be prepared under the Heel Camp program until she goes to compete in the international competition of Miss Universe, generally held in November.Host
The Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico has hosted or is scheduled to host the following editions of the international competition:In 1972, Puerto Rico became the first area outside the contiguous United States to host Miss Universe, making it the first country or territory in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania to host the pageant. In 2001, Puerto Rico became the first participating country or territory—and only one as of 2025—to win the international title of Miss Universe as a host.
Titleholders
This list includes the name, municipality, and international placement of the Miss Universe Puerto Rico titleholders in ascending order from the inaugural edition of the competition in 1952 to the present. The titleholders are divided by the franchise holder under which they won the title.;Color key
Miss Universe Puerto Rico
(2018–present)
Since 2018, the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group is the holder of the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico." The organization and pageant has its headquarters at the subsidiary WAPA TV.Miss Universe Puerto Rico
(2010–2017)
From 2010 to 2017, Luisito Vigoreaux and Desiree Lowry, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1995, held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."Miss Puerto Rico Universe
(2003–2009)
From 2003 to 2009, Magali Febles, a beautician working with the delegates of Puerto Rico since the early 1990s, held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico Universe."Miss Puerto Rico Universe
(1999–2002)
From 1999 to 2002, the television station TeleOnce held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico Universe."Miss Universe Puerto Rico
(1996–1998)
From 1996 to 1998, the television station Telemundo Puerto Rico held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."Miss Puerto Rico (1952–1995)
From 1952 to 1995, the businesswoman in the modeling and beauty industry Anna Santisteban held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico."Rankings
Placements in Miss Universe
This list includes the placements, unplacements, and absences of Miss Universe Puerto Rico in the international competition.| Placement | Total | Year |
| Miss Universe | 5 | 1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006 |
| 1st Runner-up | 2 | 2005, 2019 |
| 2nd Runner-up | 2 | 1998, 2004 |
| 3rd Runner-up | 1 | 1971 |
| 4th Runner-up | 2 | 1987, 2009 |
| Top 5/6 | 4 | 1995, 2018, 2022, 2023 |
| Top 9/10/12 | 10 | 1974, 1980, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2010, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025 |
| Top 13/15/16/20/21/30 | 2 | 2011, 2013 |
| Total | 28 | |
| Unplaced | 43 | 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Absent | 3 | 1958, 1959, 1960 |
| Total | 74 |
Placement streaks in Miss Universe
This list includes the placement streaks, or continuous placements lasting at least three years, of Miss Universe Puerto Rico in the international competition.| Duration | Total | Placements |
| 2018–ongoing | 8 | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| 2009–2011 | 3 | 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| 2003–2006 | 3 | 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| 1997–1999 | 3 | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| 1985–1987 | 3 | 1985, 1986, 1987 |
Titleholders by municipality represented
This list includes the titleholders of Miss Universe Puerto Rico by the municipality they represented in the national competition.| City | Title | Year |
| San Juan | 12 | 1953, 1954, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2017 |
| Guaynabo | 5 | 1981, 1988, 1990, 2000, 2015 |
| Salinas | 4 | 1976, 1989, 2005, 2006 |
| Santurce | 4 | 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972 |
| Lares | 3 | 1952, 1999, 2001 |
| Toa Alta | 3 | 1991, 1993, 1996 |
| Ponce | 3 | 1957, 1963, 1977 |
| Dorado | 2 | 2008, 2025 |
| Orocovis | 2 | 1973, 2024 |
| Fajardo | 2 | 1967, 2022 |
| Toa Baja | 2 | 2014, 2019 |
| Isabela | 2 | 1994, 2016 |
| Río Grande | 2 | 2010, 2012 |
| Corozal | 2 | 1995, 2011 |
| San Germán | 2 | 1975, 1986 |
| Mayagüez | 2 | 1979, 1984 |
| Trujillo Alto | 2 | 1955, 1983 |
| Caguas | 2 | 1965, 1980 |
| Patillas | 1 | 2023 |
| Loíza | 1 | 2021 |
| San Sebastián | 1 | 2020 |
| Rincón | 1 | 2018 |
| Aguadilla | 1 | 2016 |
| Arecibo | 1 | 2013 |
| Cabo Rojo | 1 | 2009 |
| Guayanilla | 1 | 2007 |
| Cidra | 1 | 2004 |
| Vieques | 1 | 2003 |
| Utuado | 1 | 2002 |
| Aguas Buenas | 1 | 1998 |
| Bayamón | 1 | 1992 |
| Juncos | 1 | 1982 |
| Río Piedras | 1 | 1969 |
| San Lorenzo | 1 | 1956 |
| - | 1 | - |