Newly crowned Miss World 2026 Joheirry Mola has met with 1982 winner Mariasela Alvarez in Santo Domingo, uniting two generations of Dominican beauty queens.
The historic meeting comes 44 years after Alvarez captured the country's first Miss World crown in 1982, with Mola now taking up that legacy to bring the title back to the Caribbean nation.
Alvarez, a veteran Dominican television presenter and architect, welcomed Mola following her international victory. Alvarez said she had been eagerly anticipating the day another Dominican woman would claim the title, adding that the crown could not have fallen on a better person.
Meeting of two Dominican Miss World winners
Alvarez noted that after meeting Mola in person, the new titleholder was exactly as she had envisioned. She praised Mola for remaining down to earth despite the sudden flood of global attention and national recognition.
Alvarez emphasized that maintaining humility was essential for any titleholder, as the glamour of the beauty world could easily cause contestants to lose their perspective. She said that everyone remains human regardless of their titles, adding that Mola's simplicity and level-headed nature would serve her well throughout her upcoming year-long reign.
The meeting marked the first time the Dominican Republic's only two Miss World titleholders have come together since Mola's victory. Alvarez had previously expressed her desire to see a second Dominican woman win the international pageant during her lifetime.
Focus on social causes and youth support
Highlighting the broader scope of the international pageant, Alvarez recalled that Miss World is not solely centered on personal physical appearance. She explained that the competition maintains a strong social focus aimed at supporting charitable causes worldwide, particularly programs benefiting children living in situations of violence, abandonment, or economic inequality.
The Miss World pageant, established in the United Kingdom in 1951, operates through its Beauty With a Purpose initiative to fund humanitarian projects across the globe. Alvarez commended the ongoing work of Julia Morley, president of the Miss World Organization, who has spearheaded the pageant's philanthropic efforts for decades.
Alvarez expressed full confidence that Mola will perform extraordinary work during her time as queen. Mola will undertake a busy schedule of international commitments, public appearances, and charitable activities over the coming year, representing the Dominican Republic on global platforms.
Upcoming reign activities and invitation
Alvarez revealed that she has already established direct communication with the new Miss World winner. She confirmed that Mola extended an invitation for her to participate in several official activities scheduled during the reign.
While Alvarez indicated that she plans to see how those plans develop for next year, she shared her pride in seeing two Dominican women sharing the global stage to represent their homeland.
