Greek-Australian Mother of Four Shines as Miss Global Greece: Maria Pappas' Inspiring Journey

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:

1. Nina Zirai, 35, Afghanistan
2. Christiane Garibian, 27, Armenia
3. Janaya Reimers, 21, Australia
4. Sophie Seyfarth, 26, Austria
5. Kiana Dominique Harris, 35, Bahamas
6. Afla Amran, 22, Bangladesh
7. Yari Bastiaens, 27, Belgium
8. Marcela Araki Yamaguti, 31, Brazil
9. Valeriya Georgieva Dokuzova, 33, Bulgaria
10. Anita Leakmony, 20, Cambodia
11. Marie Corinne, 32, Cameroon
12. Armita Jalooli, 28, Canada
13. Chalsey Nguyen, 24, China
14. Dahiana Aguilar, 27, Colombia
15. Nina Benic, 20, Croatia
16. Marie Danči, 26, Czech Republic
17. Christella Ilunga, 27, Democratic Republic of Congo
18. Francheska Pujols, 28, Dominican Republic
19. Mirna Kiddess, 30, Egypt
20. Emily Cossey, 25, England
21. Alison Carrasco, 28, France
22. Patricia Sarina Rath, 28, Germany
23. Regina Darkwah, 27, Ghana
24. Maria Pappas, 32, Greece
25. Aissatou Diallo, 21, Guinea
26. Nathalie Rigaud, 26, Haiti
27. Mansi Chourasiya, 23, India
28. Cynthia Ong, 27, Indonesia
29. Mozhgan Rastegar, 28, Iran
30. Kate Gatpandan, 20, Italy
31. Celine Waters, 21, Jamaica
32. Michiru Yakuwa, 25, Japan
33. Zhuldyz Seriki, 33, Kazakhstan
34. Joy Metheu, 22, Kenya
35. Batseng Vongchanthantham, 20, Laos
36. Dorida Vlasova, 33, Latvia
37. Hajamaya Mulbal, 25, Liberia
38. Zlata Kozlova, 25, Lithuania
39. Taanusiya Chetty, 23, Malaysia
40. Maurah Ruiz, 32, Mexico
41. Irina Batiru, 27, Moldova
42. John Doe
43. Quelusha Naftal, 23, Mozambique
44. Akari Hsu, 20, Myanmar
45. Lonja van der Zanden, 23, Netherlands
46. Jade Parsons, 20, New Zealand
47. Chinelo Ibegbuna, 33, Nigeria
48. Helene Abildsnes, 25, Norway
49. Shafina Shah, 31, Pakistan
50. Ella Mualla, 35, Palestine
51. Marlenis Cortes, 34, Panama
52. Barbara Benitez, 21, Paraguay
53. Louise Katrina Hung, 30, Philippines
54. Ana Catarina Costa, 26, Portugal
55. Ashley Melendez, 26, Puerto Rico
56. Polina Kalugina, 25, Russia
57. Gretta Iwacu, 23, Rwanda
58. Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, 25, Samoa
59. Jacqueline Crawford, 28, Scotland
60. Lara Stankovic, 20, Serbia
61. Adel Jusu, 21, Sierra Leone
62. Chloe Hung, 20, Singapore
63. Viktoriia Lobanova, 20, Slovenia
64. Zainab Jama, 22, Somalia
65. Simphiwe Zama Ntombela, 24, South Africa
66. Robyn Ree, 26, South Korea
67. Raquel Robles, 33, Spain
68. Tasabeh Diab, 27, Sudan
69. Nadiya Karplyuk, 28, Switzerland
70. Linda Huang, 27, Taiwan
71. Chonnikarn Supittayaporn, 25, Thailand
72. Tenzin Paldon, 27, Tibet
73. Maria Seelal, 20, Trinidad and Tobago
74. Deria Koc, 30, Turkey
75. Danielle Alura Mignogna, 34, United States
76. Darya Masalskaya, 31, Uzbekistan
77. Thuy Doan, 28, Vietnam
78. Iriana Pinto, 26, Venezuela
79. Kudzai Matizha, 21, Zimbabwe