The Miss Universe Kosovo is a national beauty pageant that sends representatives from Kosovo to the Miss Universe pageant.
History
On 4 April 2008 Fadil Berisha - photographer of Miss Universe's official photos - hosted Kosova's inaugural pageant where Zana Krasniqi was crowned. She went on represent Kosova at the Miss Universe pageant. This was the first appearance in a Miss Universe pageant for Miss Kosova following the country's declaration of independence on February 17, 2008.
In 2013 Fadil Berisha and Agnesa Vuthaj took control of Miss Kosovo and retrieved the Miss Universe franchise. This happened after the previous Miss Universe Kosovo director, Agron Selimi and team made the decision to send their winner to Miss World. Thus, winners for Miss Earth and Miss Universe pageant is being held under single pageant.
In 2018 Revista VIP Club took over the franchise of Miss Universe in Kosovo under the direction of TV producer Labinot Gashi. The company also holds the franchise for Miss Universe in Albania.
Titleholders The following is a list of winners. From 2008 to present. YearMiss KosovaMunicipality 2008 Zana Krasniqi Pristina 2009 Marigona Dragusha Pristina 2010 Kështjella Pepshi Pristina 2011 Afërdita Dreshaj Pristina 2012 Diana Avdiu Pristina 2013 Mirjeta Shala Vučitrn 2014 Artnesa Krasniqi Pristina 2016 Camila Barraza Pristina 2018 Zana Berisha Ferizaj 2019 Fatbardha Hoxha Suva Reka 2020 Blerta Veseli Gjilan 2021 Tuti Sejdiu Gjilan 2022 Roksana Ibrahimi Pristina 2023 Arbesa Rrahmani Ferizaj 2024 Edona Bajrami Pristina 2025 Dorea Shala Lincoln 2026 TBA TBA
Titleholders under Miss Universe Kosovo org. Miss Universe Kosovo
The first titleholder in Zana Krasniqi who eventually placed as a Top 10 finalist at the 2008 Miss Universe pageant. She is the first ever Kosovar woman to enter and place in the contest, finishing 6th, just two tenths of a point from the top five. The following year turned out to be another success for the Miss Universe Kosovo pageant: Marigona Dragusha, known as "Gona Dragusha", placed second runner-up to Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas making her to be the first delegate from Kosovo to make it top the top five. In terms of placements, Kosovo has been one of the most successful entrants into the Miss Universe pageant. The winner of Miss Kosovo represents her country at Miss Universe. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
YearMunicipalityMiss KosovoPlacement at Miss UniverseSpecial awardsNotesEduart Dedaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2018 2026 Toronto Evisa Pacolli TBA TBA 2025 Lincoln Dorea Shala Unplaced 2024 Pristina Edona Bajrami colspan=3 2023 Ferizaj Arbesa Rrahmani Unplaced 2022 Pristina Roksana Ibrahimi Unplaced 2021 Gjilan Tuti Sejdiu Unplaced 2020 Gjilan Blerta Veseli Unplaced 2019 Suva Reka Fatbardha Hoxha Unplaced 2018 Ferizaj Zana Berisha Unplaced Agnesa Vuthaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2013―2016 colspan=6 2016 Pristina Camila Barraza Unplaced The first Argentinian-Albanian who won Miss Kosova. 2015 Vushtrri Mirjeta Shala Unplaced Did not compete in 2013, due to political issues; Mirjeta allocated to Miss Universe 2015. 2014 Pristina Artnesa Krasniqi Unplaced Agron Selimi directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2008―2012 colspan=6 2012 Pristina Diana Avdiu Top 16 Miss Photogenic 2011 Pristina Afërdita Dreshaj Top 16 Singer within Albanian-speaking countries. 2010 Pristina Keshtjela Pepsi Unplaced Grew up in Bern, Switzerland, where she competed in the Miss Bern beauty pageant. 2009 Pristina Marigona Dragusha 2nd Runner-up 2008 Pristina Zana Krasniqi Top 10 Best National Costume (Top 10) Miss Kosova — Agron Selimi directorship; a background of entertainers including her father Naim Krasniqi, a singer in Kosovo.
Miss Earth Kosovo
The first delegate for Miss Earth from Kosovo is Mirjeta Zeka in 2002. She is the first delegate from Kosovo to join in a major beauty pageant while Kosovo was still then part of Yugoslavia or Serbia. However, as when the pageant concluded, she went home unplaced. The organization responsible for sending a delegate to Miss Earth was a different organization in 2002 and in 2003. It was in 2007 when Agnesa Vuthaj acquired the franchise and sent Miss Kosovo 2007 winner, Yllka Berisha, to Miss Earth 2008. However, she was unable to grab a spot in the semifinals as well. In 2014, Kaltrina Neziri was supposed to compete for Miss Earth but her visa was denied and was not able to compete. The organizer decided that she would compete for the following year, instead. To date, there is yet a Kosovan delegate to place in the Miss Earth pageant. One of the runners-up of Miss Kosovo represents her country at Miss Earth.
YearMunicipalityMiss Earth KosovoPlacement at Miss EarthSpecial awardsNotesEduart Dedaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth from 2022 2024 Mannheim Eltina Thaqi Unplaced 2023 Pristina Leonora Leci Unplaced 2022 Gjakova Vonesa Alijaj Unplaced Agnesa Vuthaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth between 2013―2016 colspan=6 2016 Gjakova Andina Pura colspan=3 2015 Pristina Kaltrina Neziri Unplaced Evening Gown Competition Allocated to 2015, she was crowned in 2014. colspan=6 2013 Pristina Donika Emini UnplacedMiss Earth Kosova/Miss Kosova (regional selection) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth between 2002―2012 2012 Pristina Ajshe Babatinca Unplaced 2011 Pristina Nora Asani Unplaced 2010 Peja Morena Taraku Unplaced 2009 Pristina Elsa Marku Unplaced 2008 Pristina Yllka Berisha Unplaced colspan=6 2003 Pristina Teuta Hoxha Unplaced 2002 Pristina Mirjeta Zeka Unplaced
Past titleholders under Miss Universe Kosovo org. Miss World Kosovo
Began 2018, one of the runners-up of Miss Kosovo represents her country at Miss World.
YearMunicipalityMiss World KosovoPlacement at Miss WorldSpecial awardsNotesEduart Dedaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World in 2018 colspan=6 2018 Pristina Reze Dautaj colspan=2 Agron Selimi directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 2013―2014 colspan=6 2014 Pristina Vita Rexhepi Unplaced 2013 Pristina Antigona Sejdiju Unplaced
Notes In 2013 the former Miss Universe Kosovo team pulled out of Miss Universe and decided to send their winning girl to Miss World 2013. Instead Fadil Berisha held a separate Miss Universe Kosovo edition in which Mirjeta Shala was crowned. However, in October Kosovo withdrew from the Miss Universe 2013 pageant because the security of Kosovo's contestant could not be assured in Russia and also Russia's non-recognition of the Kosovo's independence and passport.
See also Miss Kosovo Miss Albania Miss Universe Albania Miss Universe Kosovo 2012
References
External links misskosova.info