Marissa Teijo, a 71-year-old resident of El Paso, Texas, is making history by becoming the oldest woman to ever compete in the Miss Texas USA pageant. The septuagenarian beauty queen will compete against nearly 100 other women at the pageant this weekend in Houston, with the chance to win and represent the Lone Star state in the Miss USA pageant in Los Angeles on August 4.
Teijo’s decision to compete in the pageant comes after the Miss Universe Organization removed contestant age limits in a bid to be more inclusive. The age-defying contestant wants to use her accomplishment as proof that you’re never too old to pursue your dreams, declaring, “I feel that all women now have a new stage of opportunity, strength and beauty.”
Jackie Garcia-Martinez, CEO of Bazaar Models, who represents Teijo among other contestants, is proud to support “women of all shapes, ages and races.” As Teijo prepares to compete, she is inspiring others with her determination and confidence.
This isn’t the first time an unlikely contestant has taken the pageant world by storm. In June, marine spouse Bailey Anne Kennedy, 31, was crowned the first-ever transgender Miss Maryland USA, meaning that she will compete at the Miss USA competition.
