Marissa Teijo, a 71-year-old woman from El Paso, Texas, has made history as the oldest contestant to participate in the Miss Texas USA pageant.
Teijo is facing nearly 100 competitors for a chance to become the next Miss Texas USA in the two-day pageant. Born and raised in El Paso, Teijo says she’s excited to inspire El Pasoans and Texans to break barriers in their fields of interest, regardless of age.
Her participation was made possible by the pageant’s evolving commitment to inclusivity, following the Miss Universe organization’s decision to remove age limits for contestants over 18, allowing all women to showcase their beauty on a platform that some may still call prestigious but others criticize as an anachronism at a time when people should be valued for more than just their appearance.
Historically, these competitions had strict rules regarding age, marital status, and parenthood, but recent updates have seen these restrictions lifted. As of the 2023 season, the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees Miss USA, has removed the upper age limit for contestants, previously capped at 28 years.
2024 was the first year that married women were able to compete in the Miss USA pageant, and Cambodian-born Bailey Anne Kennedy, a military wife, became the newly crowned Miss Maryland, breaking not one record, but three in one fell swoop, being the first married woman, Asian American and transgender, to win the title since the gender barrier was redefined ten years ago.
As the oldest ever contestant, and at an age when such an ambition might be considered outlandish, Marissa Teijo’s step may seem bold, but when compared to Bailey’s trifecta it still pales in comparison.
Teijo’s presence in the competition is a significant moment for the pageant industry, which has for years now been roiled with controversies and scandals.
Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, another record breaker as the first Venezuelan American, resigned from her title on May 6, 2024, alleging bullying and lack of support on the part of the pageant organization, stating that she was prioritizing her mental health which had been gravely affected as a result of the high pressure placed on her. Voigt’s resignation was followed just a few days later by that of UmaSofia Srivastava, who held the title of Miss Teen USA 2023 as she alleged that the pageant’s values no longer aligned with hers.
Not surprisingly, Teijo did not win the title, but she did not breach the age prejudice on her own and she will probably not be the last septuagenarian to compete. Jackie Garcia-Martinez, CEO of Bazaar Models, who represents the 71-year-old, said the agency is also proud to represent diverse women. “I represent women of all shapes, ages, and races. As I prepare my team to compete at Miss Texas, I’m thrilled to support these women who inspire me as a leader every day,” she said.
