Belize’s Destiny Wagner made history by winning Miss Earth 2021 — the country’s first win of any kind in the international beauty competition and was the first Black winner of the pageant in 19 years.

The 25-year-old Black Belizean beauty emerged best out of 88 delegates from around the world at the competition, which was held virtually for the first time. Wagner made history as the first Belizean delegate to place at a Big 4 pageant- Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World and Miss Earth- since 1979.

After being crowned, Wagner said, “My country has never placed at Miss Earth before nor have we ever had an international crown, so right now, this is what we needed, and I am happed to represent such a gorgeous country. I am overwhelmed right now with emotions. The words and the gratitude it’s very hard to express, but I am thankful. I am thankful for the Miss Earth Organisation and thankful for my team as well.”

The other finalists at the pageant were Miss Earth-Air, Marisa Butler from the USA; Miss Earth-Water, Romina Denecken from Chile and Miss Earth-Fire, Jareerat Petsom from Thailand.

Wagner also posted on her social media after the announcement thanking her supporters and sharing a message with her fans, “I am very excited to begin my journey as Miss Earth 2021 and promise to do my best to fulfill my reign with gratitude and love.”

Related Story: Kentucky Native, Elle Smith, Crowned Miss USA 2021

Wagner was born in Punta Gorda, Belize. After completing her primary education in Belize, she migrated to the United States to pursue higher education. She is now engaged in various social activism activities, including marine conservation, to raise awareness about the environment and social responsibility.

In other pageant news, Black women have continued to break barriers within their respective pageants with the win of Miss USA 2021 by Elle Smith of Kentucky and Breanna Myles of Florida, Miss Teen USA 2021.