Soweto-born Tshego Gaelae has made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the prestigious Mrs World title at this year’s grand finale in Las Vegas. The 34-year-old attorney made her mark as a trailblazer in the competition’s 40-year history, marking a significant milestone for the Mrs World pageant, the longest-running and most prestigious international pageant for married women.
Gaelae’s win follows in the footsteps of Candice Abrahams, the only other South African to hold the Mrs World title, who won in 2016. However, Gaelae’s victory stands apart, as she has broken new ground by becoming the first Black woman to earn the title. Beyond her striking beauty, Gaelae stood out for her intelligence, poise, warmth, and unwavering dedication to advocating for women’s empowerment.
As Gaelae’s name was called and the iconic Mrs World crown was placed on her head, she was overcome with emotion, holding back tears of joy. “This moment is beyond my wildest imagination. I’m just a girl from Soweto, so to every woman in South Africa, this can only be for you,” she said, expressing deep gratitude for the honour. She also spoke about how proud she felt to represent her country on a global stage. “I’m deeply honoured to have been given this opportunity to represent our country on the global stage, and, going forward, I’m excited to use this platform to inspire women everywhere to embrace their power and purpose,” Gaelae added.
According to IOL, in an emotional message to her fellow competitors, she offered encouragement, particularly to her sisters in the Mrs South Africa pageant. “To my sisters in the Mrs South Africa pageant, I say: Hold on to hope. Your dreams are right in your grasp – all you need to do is reach out and believe in your own strength.”
Gaelae, who is a loving wife and mother based in Centurion, Gauteng, balances her family life with a commitment to supporting women and advocating for the voiceless. She is a qualified attorney, currently working as a B-BBEE and labour relations manager for a group, while also running a YouTube channel called “My Lawyer’s Corner,” where she provides legal education and advice. She is passionate about empowering women and believes in the importance of sisterhood and community. “I am a woman for women. I am a sister to my sisters, determined to see them become queens in their own right. Sisterhood, to me, means taking a purposeful role in the success of the women around you, and giving power to the fierce women inside ourselves,” she said.
Gaelae’s victory has been widely celebrated, with Joani Jacobs, CEO of Mrs South Africa, applauding her historic achievement. “Tshego’s victory is not just a win for her, but for all South African women. She embodies the unconquerable power, elegance, and determination inside us all, showing that women can make a profound impact in the world by staying resilient and not shying away from leadership roles,” Jacobs said. “We’re incredibly proud of her and know that she will use this global platform to inspire and uplift women around the world.”
