Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic has been crowned Miss World 2026 in Vietnam, beating contestants from 110 other countries in the 73rd edition.

Dominican Republic Wins Crown

Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic has been crowned Miss World 2026, completing her journey with a victory at the grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5.

The 24-year-old educator, communicator and model emerged as the winner of the 73rd edition of the international pageant after progressing through multiple stages of competition.

Mola succeeded Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who crowned her successor at the finale.

Spain Finishes Runner-Up

Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes Alabern was named the first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as the second runner-up.

The three contestants emerged at the top after a competition involving 111 participants from around the world. The final stages narrowed the field through the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top 6 rounds before the final winner and runners-up were selected.

The final six also included representatives from Vietnam, Eritrea and South Africa.

Mola’s Winning Message

Mola’s social-impact work played an important role in her Miss World campaign.

During the final question-and-answer round, she spoke about her Beauty with a Purpose initiative, which focuses on bringing English-language programmes to children in vulnerable communities.

She argued that English can provide children with greater opportunities to learn, communicate and build their futures. Her message connected education with empowerment and broader access to opportunities.

Her advocacy became a defining part of her campaign as she progressed through the competition.

Teacher And Community Advocate

According to the Miss World organisation, Mola is a literature and social studies teacher, news correspondent, model and community advocate.

She holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana. She is also the founder and president of Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative that expands English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.

Mola also works as a correspondent for Univision New York’s Ventana a Quisqueya, where she covers Dominican culture, social issues and community stories.

Historic Vietnam Finale

The Miss World 2026 finale took place in Nha Trang, a coastal city in Vietnam, marking the culmination of weeks of competition.

The edition brought together 111 contestants representing countries and territories from across the world. Contestants competed through a series of fast-track challenges and selection rounds before the field was reduced to the final six.

The competition also featured the organisation's traditional Beauty with a Purpose programme, which places emphasis on charitable and community-focused initiatives.

India’s Nikita Porwal

India’s representative Nikita Porwal reached the Top 40 but did not advance to the Top 20.

Porwal, who is from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024 and represented India at the global competition. The Miss India Organisation said she concluded her Miss World journey among the Top 40 and praised her representation of the country.

Her campaign included cultural appearances and a finale look created by designer Bhawna Rao.

What Happens Next

With Mola taking the Miss World crown, attention now turns to her year-long tenure and the organisation’s humanitarian initiatives.

Her background in education and community development is expected to remain central to her work as Miss World. Her Voices of Tomorrow initiative gives her an established platform for continuing her focus on English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.

The 2026 result also gives the Dominican Republic another major achievement on the international pageant stage. For India, Porwal’s Top 40 finish keeps the country’s presence in the upper stages of the competition, even though she missed the Top 20.

The next edition of Miss World is scheduled to take place in Tanzania.