South Korean model Choi Soon-hwa on Monday narrowly missed becoming the oldest person to win Miss Universe Korea, competing with a group of 32 women in Seoul at the age of 80. The competition allows the winner to represent South Korea in November’s Miss Universe competition. Choi was the oldest finalist the pageant has seen .
While Choi lost to 22-year-old fashion school student Han Ariel, she ended up taking home the “best dresser” award. “Even at this age, I had the courage to grab on to an opportunity and take on a challenge," Choi told the Associated Press before the pageant. “I want people to look at me and realize that you can live healthier and find joy in life when you find things you want to do and challenge yourself to achieve that dream,” she said.
Born on 11 October 1943 in Masan, nearly a decade before the Miss Universe pageant was first held in 1952, Choi worked several odd jobs. She has worked as a nurse, a pastor, and even at a textile factory. She retired at 68, but was forced to go back to work as a caregiver after she lent someone money who conned her out of it.
“I was very desperate, I was fully responsible for my children’s destitution,” she said. “The only thing I could do was make money and pay off my debts.” In 2014, when a patient suggested she try out as a model since she looked like she’d do well, Choi decided to join a modelling school.
“Her remark hit me like a ray,” said Choi. Four years later, Choi, then 75, made her .