In a night of glitz and glamour at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned Miss World 2025 on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The 21-year-old student made history as the first Thai woman to ever win the coveted title in the competition's 72-year history. The event, hosted by Stephanie del Valle, Miss World 2016, and Indian television personality Sachiin Kumbhar, saw participation from 108 contestants from across the globe.
Opal Suchata Chuangsri, born on March 20, 2003, in Phuket, Thailand, is the daughter of hoteliers. She is fluent in Thai, English, and Chinese, reflecting her diverse background and global perspective. A graduate of Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok, where she majored in international culture through Chinese studies, Opal is currently pursuing a degree in global affairs in political science with a focus on International Relations at Thammasat University.
Opal's journey to the Miss World crown was marked by her exceptional performance in various rounds. She impressed the audience and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra with her answer about leadership qualities, emphasizing empathy as the most important trait for leaders. During the final question-and-answer segment, when asked about storytelling and personal responsibility, Opal stated, "I've learned we must become people our loved ones look up to. No matter how far we go, our actions should always speak louder."
Before her Miss World victory, Opal underwent surgery at 16 to remove a benign breast lump. This experience led her to launch the "Opal For Her" campaign, focusing on breast health awareness and early detection, showcasing her dedication to women's health and empowerment.
Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic, Miss World 2024, crowned Opal, marking the culmination of weeks of cultural exchange, competition, and celebration. Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the first runner-up, Maja Klajda of Poland the second runner-up, and Aurelie Joachim of Martinique the third runner-up. Opal's win was celebrated across Thailand, with her management company, TPN Global, sharing congratulatory messages from fans and businesses on social media.
Adding to the event's glamour, Bollywood stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter delivered captivating performances. Actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood was honored with the Miss World Humanitarian Award for his unwavering commitment to humanitarian work. The judging panel included philanthropist and entrepreneur Sudha Reddy, Dr. Caryna Turrell, Miss England 2014, and Julia Morley CBE, Chairwoman of Miss World.
Meanwhile, India's representative, Nandini Gupta, who had secured a spot in the Top 40 by winning the Miss World Top Model sub-event, could not make it to the Top 8. The 21-year-old from Kota, Rajasthan, had expressed her long-held dream of becoming Miss World, inspired by Aishwarya Rai's victory in the past. Nandini launched Project Ekta to promote respect and acceptance for individuals with special needs, in line with the pageant's "Beauty with a Purpose" motto. Despite not winning the crown, Nandini's journey and efforts were widely recognized and appreciated.
