Pia Wurtzbach

The Miss Universe 2015 pageant made headlines when the crown was mistakenly awarded to Miss Colombia before it found its rightful owner in Pia Wurtzbach. Unshaken by the confusion, Wurtzbach’s poise and calm grace in that defining moment encapsulated the very essence of her now-iconic phrase: “confidently beautiful with a heart.” The moment marked the rise of a woman who would transcend pageantry to become a global voice of influence and purpose.

Since her reign, Wurtzbach has transformed her platform into one of advocacy and entrepreneurship. As a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, she continues to advance awareness on HIV/AIDS, while championing inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community. As a WWF-Philippines ambassador, she lends her voice to environmental sustainability and child welfare initiatives.

In 2023, Wurtzbach released her debut novel, Queen of the Universe, a semi-autobiographical bestseller that reflected her evolution from beauty queen to author, advocate and entrepreneur. Today, she stands as a modern icon—poised, passionate and ever devoted to using her influence for good.

In 2025, Wurtzbach continued her reign beyond the pageant stage, proving that true queenship transcends crowns. This year, she made waves in the fashion world, walking the runway at Paris Fashion Week and fronting campaigns for sustainable luxury brands—solidifying her status as a global style icon with substance. At the same time, she expanded her charitable initiatives through the Pia Wurtzbach Foundation, which now unites education, environmental action and healthcare advocacy under one mission of empowerment.