32-year-old Maria Pappas isn't your typical beauty queen. Juggling motherhood with four beautiful children and a burgeoning social media empire, she defies expectations and embraces her multi-faceted identity as Miss Global Greece 2023.
Growing up in Australia, Maria's heart always beat for her motherland, Greece. The sun-kissed shores, warm hospitality, and ancient legacy of her heritage fuel her passion. But it's her role as a mother that truly shapes her mission.
"Being a mother has shown me how to be a positive influence for young women," says Maria. "I want them to know their dreams are boundless, and motherhood doesn't have to dim their shine."
With over 557,000 followers across her social media platforms, Maria harnesses her online presence for good. Her message? Kindness, empathy, and compassion reign supreme.
In representing Greece, Maria celebrates not just breathtaking landscapes and delicious cuisine, but a nation rich in history and culture. "The Acropolis, the vibrant museums, the mountains – I'm proud to carry these stories of resilience and creativity on the global stage," she beams.
But beyond cultural pride, Maria's platform champions female empowerment. "Motherhood can be challenging, but it shouldn't stop you from pursuing your dreams," she states. "I want to show young women they can have it all, with love and generosity as their guiding lights."
As Maria embarks on her Miss Global journey, let's rally behind her inspiring message. Follow her on Instagram at @missglobalofficial, like her posts, and help this Greek-Australian mama shine even brighter!
To Vote for Maria Pappas click here.
Miss Global 2023 will be crowned in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on January 18, 2024. It is the 10th edition of the edition of the international beauty pageant.
Miss Global allows single mothers to compete. It also accepts candidates aged 18 to 35 while the age range accepted by most international beauty pageants for single women is 18 to 28.
On June 11, 2022, Shane Tormes of the Philippines was crowned Miss Global 2022 at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali, Indonesia along with Jessica Da Silva of the United Arab Emirates as Miss Global 2021. Runner-up to Tormes was Sandra Lim of Malaysia while the respective second, third and fourth runners-up were Brooke Rankin of Australia, Sandra Boriseviciute of Lithuania and Natalia Gurgel of Brazil.
There are 79 women competing for the Miss Global 2023 title. Here are the candidates:
- Nina Zirai, 35, Afghanistan
- Christiane Garibian, 27, Armenia
- Janaya Reimers, 21, Australia
- Sophie Seyfarth, 26, Austria
- Kiana Dominique Harris, 35, Bahamas
- Afla Amran, 22, Bangladesh
- Yari Bastiaens, 27, Belgium
- Marcela Araki Yamaguti, 31, Brazil
- Valeriya Georgieva Dokuzova, 33, Bulgaria
- Anita Leakmony, 20, Cambodia
- Marie Corinne, 32, Cameroon
- Armita Jalooli, 28, Canada
- Chalsey Nguyen, 24, China
- Dahiana Aguilar, 27, Colombia
- Nina Benic, 20, Croatia
- Marie Danči, 26, Czech Republic
- Christella Ilunga, 27, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Francheska Pujols, 28, Dominican Republic
- Mirna Kiddess, 30, Egypt
- Emily Cossey, 25, England
- Alison Carrasco, 28, France
- Patricia Sarina Rath, 28, Germany
- Regina Darkwah, 27, Ghana
- Maria Pappas, 32, Greece
- Aissatou Diallo, 21, Guinea
- Nathalie Rigaud, 26, Haiti
- Mansi Chourasiya, 23, India
- Cynthia Ong, 27, Indonesia
- Mozhgan Rastegar, 28, Iran
- Kate Gatpandan, 20, Italy
- Celine Waters, 21, Jamaica
- Michiru Yakuwa, 25, Japan
- Zhuldyz Seriki, 33, Kazakhstan
- Joy Metheu, 22, Kenya
- Batseng Vongchanthantham, 20, Laos
- Dorida Vlasova, 33, Latvia
- Hajamaya Mulbal, 25, Liberia
- Zlata Kozlova, 25, Lithuania
- Taanusiya Chetty, 23, Malaysia
- Maurah Ruiz, 32, Mexico
- Irina Batiru, 27, Moldova
- John Doe
- Quelusha Naftal, 23, Mozambique
- Akari Hsu, 20, Myanmar
- Lonja van der Zanden, 23, Netherlands
- Jade Parsons, 20, New Zealand
- Chinelo Ibegbuna, 33, Nigeria
- Helene Abildsnes, 25, Norway
- Shafina Shah, 31, Pakistan
- Ella Mualla, 35, Palestine
- Marlenis Cortes, 34, Panama
- Barbara Benitez, 21, Paraguay
- Louise Katrina Hung, 30, Philippines
- Ana Catarina Costa, 26, Portugal
- Ashley Melendez, 26, Puerto Rico
- Polina Kalugina, 25, Russia
- Gretta Iwacu, 23, Rwanda
- Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, 25, Samoa
- Jacqueline Crawford, 28, Scotland
- Lara Stankovic, 20, Serbia
- Adel Jusu, 21, Sierra Leone
- Chloe Hung, 20, Singapore
- Viktoriia Lobanova, 20, Slovenia
- Zainab Jama, 22, Somalia
- Simphiwe Zama Ntombela, 24, South Africa
- Robyn Ree, 26, South Korea
- Raquel Robles, 33, Spain
- Tasabeh Diab, 27, Sudan
- Nadiya Karplyuk, 28, Switzerland
- Linda Huang, 27, Taiwan
- Chonnikarn Supittayaporn, 25, Thailand
- Tenzin Paldon, 27, Tibet
- Maria Seelal, 20, Trinidad and Tobago
- Deria Koc, 30, Turkey
- Danielle Alura Mignogna, 34, United States
- Darya Masalskaya, 31, Uzbekistan
- Thuy Doan, 28, Vietnam
- Iriana Pinto, 26, Venezuela
- Kudzai Matizha, 21, Zimbabwe
