Marina Machete, a 28-year-old flight attendant, was also the first trans candidate for the title of Miss Portugal. “For years it was not possible for me to participate. Today I am proud to be part of this incredible group of finalists competing for the title of Miss Portugal,” she previously wrote on social networks before being crowned the winner.
In July, 22-year-old Dutch Rikkie Kollé became the first transgender woman to win the title of Miss Netherlands. Kollé and Machete succeed Angela Ponce from Spain, who became the first trans candidate for the Miss Universe title in 2018.