New rule, new winner as Miss France pageant crowns 34-year-old

When Angélique Angarni-Filopon, a 34-year-old flight attendant from the French Caribbean island of Martinique, was crowned on Saturday, she became the oldest woman to win the Miss France pageant, thanks to a recent change in the rules allowing women over the age of 24, along with those who are married or mothers to compete.

On Saturday, a 34-year-old flight attendant from the French Caribbean island of Martinique won the Miss France pageant, becoming the oldest contestant ever to do so.

Angelique Angarni-Filopon was crowned following a change to the rules that allowed women over 24 to compete, as well as those who are married or have children.

“And in 2011, a 20-year-old woman came in first runner up in the Miss Martinique pageant. Today, it’s the same 34-year-old woman who comes before you to once again represent Martinique, its diaspora, and remind all those women who were told that it was too late before me,” she said upon being declared the winner of the competition, which was broadcast by TF1.

The final featured 30 candidates, including doctors and dentists, parading in swimsuits, regional costumes and ballgowns.

They danced to an array of music genres including country, 90s, salsa and Mozart.’]

As the winner of the contest, Angarni-Filopon receives a salary for a year from the Miss France firm, the use of a Paris apartment and various gifts from sponsors.

The France contest comes just days after the Miss Netherlands pageant was axed after 35 years.

Organisers said they were “moving with the times” and will instead run a platform that shares success stories of women and those facing issues like unrealistic beauty standards.