Rikkie Valerie Kollé, a Dutch model, has achieved a significant milestone in the world of pageants by becoming the first transgender woman to win Miss Universe Netherlands.
The Miss Nederland organization officially announced Kollé’s victory on Saturday. The crowning ceremony included the presence of Ona Moody, Miss Netherlands 2022, and R’Bonney Gabriel, the reigning Miss Universe from the USA.
In addition, Nathalie Mogbelzada from Amsterdam was named the first runner-up, while Habiba Mostafa received the Miss Congeniality title and Lou Dirchs earned the Miss Social Media award.
Kollé will be the second transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe competition, following Angela Ponce from Spain, who participated in 2018. The pageant’s parent organization began allowing transgender women to participate in 2012.
Prior to her victory, Kollé appeared on the show “Holland’s Next Top Model” and is also an actress. She expressed her joy in a Dutch-language Instagram post, stating, “It’s surreal, but I can now proudly call myself Miss Nederland 2023. This has been an enriching and incredible journey, and nothing can go wrong for me anymore.”
She further stated, “I am tremendously proud and happy beyond words. I have made my community proud and proved that it can be done.”
Kollé expressed her gratitude to the judges, fellow finalists, as well as her family and friends. She also emphasized her desire to be an example for others, particularly those who may have felt a lack of representation. She concluded by expressing her excitement for the upcoming Miss Universe competition.
Following her historic win as the first transgender winner of Miss Universe Netherlands, Kollé will represent her country in the international Miss Universe competition, scheduled to take place in El Salvador later this year.
Last year, the Miss Universe Organization introduced significant updates to their rules, allowing married women and women with children to compete in the 2023 edition of the pageant.
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