Literature teacher Joherry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic has been crowned Miss World 2026 at the international pageant final held in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The 24-year-old educator defeated finalists Elizabeth Raines of Spain and Thanushia Chetty of Malaysia to secure the global title, according to news outlet VnExpress.
In her home country, Dominguez works as a literature teacher who provides English language lessons to children from low-income families. She also serves as a correspondent for Univision, an American television network broadcasting content for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Univision is one of the largest Spanish-language media networks in the United States, reaching millions of viewers across North America. Her victory represents a major milestone for the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation situated on the island of Hispaniola.
Path to the Crown
Dominguez was not initially regarded as one of the leading contenders for the crown when the event began. Public attention shifted toward her after she won the regional Top Model selection representing the Americas and the Caribbean, a victory that earned her a direct place among the top 40 finalists of the pageant.
The Miss World competition was created in the United Kingdom in 1951 and is among the oldest international pageant events. Contestants are evaluated across multiple preliminary categories, including talent displays, public speaking, and community-focused advocacy projects.
Contest jury member Ha Kieu Anh stated that Dominguez distinguished herself through a clear combination of intellect and personal charm. Ha Kieu Anh noted that Dominguez did not discuss unrealistic ideas during her presentations, but instead drew directly on her practical experience in the education sector.
The judge added that the project presented by Dominguez felt like more than a simple entry for a pageant. Ha Kieu Anh described it as an initiative that Dominguez genuinely believes in and devotes her entire soul to advancing.
Ha Kieu Anh is a prominent Vietnamese public figure who won the Miss Vietnam title in 1992 before establishing a career as an actress and business executive.
National Celebrations
The announcement of the result sparked widespread celebrations across the Dominican Republic, where the outcome was received as a national holiday. President Luis Abinader delivered personal congratulations to Dominguez following her victory.
President Abinader emphasized that Dominguez brought the Miss World title back to the nation after a gap of 44 years. The Dominican Republic had last claimed the crown in 1982, when Mariasela Alvarez won the international pageant.
President Abinader has served as head of state in the Dominican Republic since taking office in 2020. The 1982 winner, Mariasela Alvarez, built a long career as a television producer, host, and architect in Santo Domingo after her pageant success.
The 2026 final took place in Nha Trang, a coastal resort city in central southern Vietnam known for its beaches and international tourism infrastructure. Vietnam has hosted several international cultural events and beauty competitions in recent years.
The outcome in Vietnam follows previous regional pageant stories, including an incident during the Miss World Chile 2025 competition where the winner attracted widespread attention after performing a death metal musical piece during the event.
