Ranking the Top 10 Miss Universe Winners in History – Is Catriona Gray the Best Ever?
- In my ranking of the best Miss Universe winners, I’ll recognize talents like 2022 winner R’Bonney Gabriel.
- Controversy surrounded Pia Wurtzbach’s 2015 crowning as Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner.
- Zozibini Tunzi, Iris Mittenaere, and more top our list of the best Miss Universe winners in history.
- 10. Dayanara Torres (1993)
- 9. R’Bonney Gabriel (2022)
- 8. Gabriela Isler (2013)
- 7. Pia Wurtzbach (2015)
- 6. Zozibini Tunzi (2019)
- 5. Paulina Vega (2014)
- 4. Iris Mittenaere (2016)
- 3. Sushmita Sen (1994)
- 2. Lara Dutta (2000)
- 1. Catriona Gray (2018)
10. Dayanara Torres (1993)
Torres went on to be an ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
She then created the Dayanara Torres Foundation, which provides scholarships to poor students in the Philippines and Puerto Rico.
Dayanara was also quite the actor, starring in box office films Hataw Na (1995) and Basta’t Kasama Kita (1995). She performed and hosted TV shows in the 90s as well.
Her relentlessness also helped her defeat skin cancer, becoming a vocal ally after her victory.9. R’Bonney Gabriel (2022)
R’Bonney is a sewing instructor, model, and fashion designer from Texas. She put all her skills to the test this year, and it paid off. She answered a lot of questions well, but one of her best responses was about investing in others. “It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them, and we use that as a vehicle for change.” Ultimately, R’Bonney Gabriel should be recognized as one of the top Miss Universe pageant winners, even if she’s the most recent one.The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023
8. Gabriela Isler (2013)

7. Pia Wurtzbach (2015)
Steve Harvey accidentally crowned Miss Colombia the winner when it was supposed to be Miss Philippines.
It was quite a shock to everyone, creating a hilariously awkward situation for everyone involved.
Pia will also be remembered for saying, “To be Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth, and I would raise awareness to certain causes, like HIV awareness, that is timely and relevant to my country, which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you.”
That response makes her one of the top Miss Universe winners in history.
If there’s a contestant that reminds you of Pia, I recommend placing a bet on them to win. Of course, there’s a lot that goes into betting (correctly) on Miss Universe.
6. Zozibini Tunzi (2019)
She had to answer the question,” What’s the most important thing you should be teaching young girls today?”
Tunzi responded with an in-depth speech about the importance of leadership.
“It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a long time, not because we don’t want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful being in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. That is what we should be teaching these young girls to take, to take up space. Nothing is more important than taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”
Recently, Zozibini earned the role of Efe in the 2022 film, “The Woman King.”
5. Paulina Vega (2014)
“I believe there are still men that believe in equality, and I believe that that is what women should learn from men. We continue fighting for what we want to accomplish.”
Later, Paulina said that the “perseverance of the Colombian people amid problems is the offering of her country to the world.”
Vega also took advantage of her platform as Miss Universe. She worked to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS, solidifying herself in the Miss Universe rankings.4. Iris Mittenaere (2016)

3. Sushmita Sen (1994)
Sushmita was asked about her thoughts on the essence of being a woman.
Her response was, “I think being a woman by itself, the very fact that you’re a woman, is a gift of God that we all must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman. And a woman is one who shares the love and shows the man what love, caring, and sharing is all about. That is the essence of a woman. Thank you!”
This is one of the best responses in Miss Universe history, earning her the right to be one of the top winners ever. Sen was also an actress and model who adopted two girls and helped countless others.
2. Lara Dutta (2000)
This was one of the best responses that Lara could have come up with.
She proved that Miss Universe is not tearing down women but rather giving them a platform to have their voices heard.
She earned 9.99 points from the interview portion, which was the maximum available. That gives her one of the top spots in Miss America winner history.1. Catriona Gray (2018)
Her answer that sealed her victory was about the most important lesson she’s learned in her life. She went on to say that she’s worked in many poor areas in Tondo, Malina. Instead of feeling down about her experience, she taught herself to find beauty in it.
Her response was moving and inspiring, making it the most memorable Miss Universe quote of all time. She is one of the most iconic contestants in the show and wore one of the most influential dresses.
Her lava red dress is another contributing factor to her title of the best Miss Universe winner ever.
Want to bet on who will be the next Miss Universe winner?
Ranking the Top Miss Universe Winners
I felt comfortable with my list, but there are so many other women you can swap in and have a solid argument to do so.
As I mentioned, betting on Miss Universe will be available for the next competition. If you want to make a betting pick, remember what made these women some of the best winners ever.
Once you know what it takes to be a winner of Miss Universe, you should be ready to make a betting prediction.
We could have another contestant worthy of being in the top ten before we know it. If you’re looking for more beauty pageant content, check out the best Miss America talents below.Footnotes: