Marissa Teijo, a 71-year-old woman, is making history by being the oldest person to compete for Miss Texas USA.
Marissa is scheduled to compete in the Houston pageant. The overall winner will represent the state of Texas in the Miss USA competition. Miss USA, meanwhile, will compete in Miss Universe.
The Miss Universe organization has upped the rules to be more inclusive, removing age limits for those vying for the crown this year. Contestants can now also be married, pregnant, or divorced.
The organization has received intense scrutiny in recent months following the controversial firings of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA in May. But that didn’t bother Marissa Teijo.
She told USA Today that she wants to send the message that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. “I feel that all women now have a new stage of opportunities, strength and beauty,” Marissa commented.
With nearly 100 women competing against her, the 71-year-old contestant assures that she has never felt more motivated to pursue her dream.
Born and raised in the city of El Paso, she is excited to inspire her countrymen to break barriers in their areas of interest, regardless of age.
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