María Vargas of Jalisco was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2026, succeeding Fátima Bosch and earning the chance to represent Mexico at the next Miss Universe competition.
Vargas, 28, holds a degree in international business and is also a writer. She won the national title in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, where 32 contestants competed for the crown.
In the final round, Vargas prevailed over four other finalists. Mariana Macías of Michoacán was named first runner-up, followed by Fernanda Abaroa of Guerrero as second runner-up.
Miss Universe Mexico 2026 Final Results
Five contestants made it to the final round:
- Winner: María Vargas (Jalisco)
- First runner-up: Mariana Macías (Michoacán)
- Second runner-up: Fernanda Abaroa (Guerrero)
- Third runner-up: Génesis Vera (Veracruz)
- Fourth runner-up: Ximena Ochoa (Mexico City)
What María Vargas Said Before Her Win
Before the final results were announced, Vargas faced the judges and spoke about what she hoped to do with the crown if she won.
Her answer referenced Fátima Bosch’s legacy and a defining moment from her 2025 reign, when Bosch spoke up. Vargas returned to that idea in her response, focusing not only on using her voice but also on listening.
© @mariavargas.n“Last November, the universe saw the power of a Mexican woman when she raised her voice. I would love to continue that legacy by showing that we don’t raise our voices only to speak for others but also to listen more closely. Raising our voices doesn’t just help others. It also opens doors that were once closed to us,” she said.
Minutes later, Vargas advanced to the Top 5.
Who Made the Top 5?
The five finalists were
- Jalisco: María Vargas
- Michoacán: Mariana Macías
- Guerrero: Fernanda Abaroa
- Veracruz: Génesis Vera
- Mexico City: Ximena Ochoa
The group emerged after earlier cuts narrowed the field from 32 contestants to 16 semifinalists, then to the Top 10.
Miss Universe Mexico 2026 Top 10
The 10 contestants who advanced were
- Tabasco: Ximena Aranda
- Nuevo León: Arisbe Cueto
- Jalisco: María Vargas
- Morelos: Zayda Ríos
- Colima: María Zepeda
- Michoacán: Mariana Macías
- Guerrero: Fernanda Abaroa
- Oaxaca: Estefany Luna
- Veracruz: Génesis Vera
- Mexico City: Ximena Ochoa
As the competition moved toward its final rounds, Fátima Bosch returned to the stage for one of her last appearances as Miss Universe Mexico.
Fátima Bosch Takes Her Final Walk
© @missuniversemexicoBosch walked the runway one last time as Miss Universe Mexico, wearing a silver gown with a long train for her farewell appearance.
© @missuniversemexicoThe 16 semifinalists later took the stage for the evening gown competition.
Jalisco also earned another distinction that night, this time in the national costume competition.
Jalisco Wins the National Costume Competition
Five states were recognized for their national costumes:
- Michoacán
- Coahuila
- Jalisco
- Zacatecas
- Sinaloa
Jalisco’s costume, designed by Joel García, took the top honor. Vargas will wear the winning design when she represents Mexico at Miss Universe.
Earlier in the night, she had secured her place in the competition by advancing to the Top 16.
Who Made the Top 16?
Of the 32 contestants, these 16 advanced:
- Colima: María Zepeda
- Nuevo León: Arisbe Cueto
- Veracruz: Génesis Vera
- Oaxaca: Estefany Luna
- Baja California: Samantha Bastidas
- Guanajuato: Ana Cristina Muñoz
- Guerrero: Fernanda Abaroa
- Sinaloa: Cristina Guillén
- Yucatán: Carla Osorio
- Tabasco: Ximena Aranda
- Mexico City: Ximena Ochoa
- Morelos: Zayda Ríos
- Baja California Sur: Selene Zazueta
- Durango: Isela Hernández
- Jalisco: María Vargas
- Michoacán: Mariana Macías
Several contestants were also recognized with special awards during the competition.
Miss Universe Mexico 2026 Special Awards
- Style Icon: Samantha Bastidas (Baja California)
- Confidence Beauty: Zayda Ríos (Morelos)
- Pacific Beauty: Cristina Guillén (Sinaloa)
- Querétaro: Ithza Andrade
Fatima Bosh Says Goodbye to Her Reign
Vargas’ crowning also brought Fátima Bosch’s reign to a close. Before finding out who would succeed her, Bosch took the microphone to reflect on her year as Miss Universe Mexico.
© @missuniverse.mexico“I love being back home. Today is definitely filled with so many emotions. It all started here a year ago with a dream of representing my country with pride on the world stage. I gave it everything I had, with all my heart. Today, a wonderful chapter comes to an end,” she said.
Bosch also had a message for the woman who was about to receive the crown.
“I know the next Miss Universe Mexico is going to do an incredible job. I just want to thank everyone for this wonderful year. It was an honor to be Miss Universe Mexico.”
Soon after, María Vargas was announced as the winner, and Bosch crowned her successor.
© mariavargas.nWho Were the Miss Universe Mexico 2026 Judges?
Meet the Miss Universe Mexico 2026 Judges
- Aarón Mercury, content creator and reality TV personality
- Daniela Cossio, Mexican model
- Ilda Ledesma, businesswoman in Baja California Sur’s tourism and hospitality industry
- Inna Moll, model and Miss Universe Chile 2025
- Dr. Luis Gil, plastic surgeon with experience in beauty pageants
- Lina Luaces, model and Miss Universe Cuba 2025
- Lily Chenlu, Mexican businesswoman of Chinese descent and president of the Board of Directors of the Zhonghua Cultural Exchange Association in Mexico
- Pepe Medel, who holds a doctorate in education from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and is also a historian and collector specializing in beauty pageants
Clovis Nienow hosted the pageant, with Alejandra Tijerina and Lorena working behind the scenes.
With the national title secured, Vargas now turns her attention to Miss Universe 2026. The Jalisco native will represent Mexico on November 24 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Read the full article here
