Miss Internacional Chile is a national beauty pageant that selects Chile's representative to the Miss International pageant.
History Beginnings and Consolidation (1965 – 1980)
Chilean representation in the pageant formally began in 1965 with Matilde Von San Jorge González. During the 1970s, Chile maintained a regular presence, sending delegates annually starting in 1970.
The most significant turning point of this era occurred in 1980, when Mónica Salinas Ruiz reached the position of 4th runner-up, marking the highest achievement by a Chilean in the history of this competition to date.
Transition and Top Placements (1990 – 2010)
After a hiatus during the second half of the 1980s, Chile resumed its participation with sporadic appearances. During this period, the country managed to stand out again by entering the semifinalist rounds on two occasions:
2001: Paula Orchard successfully placed among the Top 12. 2007: María Ana Salas Gorboi classified within the Top 15.
Despite these successes, consistency was affected by changes in national franchises, resulting in notable absences in years such as 2008, 2009, and the period between 2011 and 2013.
Modern Era and Recent Challenges (2014 – Present)
Since 2014, Chile has sought to professionalize the preparation of its candidates to regain lost ground in the Asian pageant. This stage was interrupted globally by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the competition between 2020 and 2021.
Following the resumption of activities in 2022 with Catalina Huenulao, the country has maintained uninterrupted representation, highlighting the participations of Valerie Johnson (2023)
Since 2024, the event has been run by CNB Chile (National Beauty Contest), under the direction of Eleni Sira.
In this new stage, the pageant has undergone a progressive evolution to consolidate its presence in the country:
2024: The competition resumed with a selected group of 8 candidates. Kelsey Kohler was crowned Miss International Chile 2024.
2025: The organization opted for the direct appointment of the representative to strengthen her preparation. Nallely Bobadilla was crowned Miss International Chile 2025.
2026: The pageant is taking a significant leap forward by opening up to regional franchises, allowing candidates from different communes and sectors across Chile to compete for the national crown.
This regional expansion aims to decentralize the pageant, highlighting the talent and identity of women from throughout the national territory, while establishing a more solid and participatory structure for the future of pageantry in Chile.
On August 23, 2026, the final of the Miss International Chile 2026 pageant was held at the Teatro Fiebre in Santiago, Chile. Representatives from ten communes and regions of the country (Arica, Concón, Iquique, La Florida, La Reina, Los Ángeles, Providencia, Rancagua, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar) competed for the crown.
The crown and the title of winner were awarded to the representative of Valparaíso, Bárbara Wolfenson. Wolfenson is a dental surgeon, speaks English, and serves as the dental director of the Fundación Felipe Coloma.
Titleholders Color key
YearMiss International ChilePlacement at Miss International 2026 Bárbara Wolfenson TBA 2025 Nallely Bobadilla Unplaced 2024 Kelsey Kohler Unplaced 2023 Valerie Johnson Unplaced 2022 Catalina Huenulao Unplaced colspan=6 2019 Ximena Huala Unplaced 2018 Maria Pia Vilches Unplaced 2017 Estefania Galeota Unplaced 2014 Tania Dahuabe Unplaced 2010 Tanya del Solar Prussing Unplaced 2007 Mary Ann Salas Gorboi Top 15 2004 Francisca Valenzuela Rendic Unplaced 2003 Christiane Balmelli Fournier Unplaced 2001 Paula Orchard Top 12 1996 Alexandra de Granade Errázuriz Unplaced 1980 Mónica Salinas Ruiz 4th Runner-up 1979 Paulina Quiroga Unplaced 1978 Marianela Toledo Rojas Unplaced 1977 Silvia Ebner Cataldo Unplaced 1976 María Antonieta Rosselló Unplaced 1975 Ana Papic Marinovic Unplaced 1974 María del Carmen Bono Unplaced 1973 Ethel Klenner Rodríguez Unplaced 1972 Pamela Santibáñez Berg Unplaced 1971 Alicia Vicuña Unplaced 1970 Berta Goldsmith Unplaced 1965 Matilde Von Saint George González Unplaced
See also References
External links Official website