71-year-old woman makes history as oldest contestant at Miss Texas USA

A 71-year-old woman will make history as the oldest contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant.

Marissa Teijo joined other contestants competing in the competition this weekend in Houston. The winner will represent Texas in the Miss USA pageant.

The Miss Universe Organization recently changed its rules to be more inclusive by removing age limits for contestants over 18 and allowing married, divorced and pregnant women.

Teijo, of El Paso, said in an Instagram post that she was excited to compete and hoped it would “inspire women to strive to be their best physically and mentally and to believe that ‘There is beauty at every age.’

Miss Texas USA kicked off its two-day pageant Friday at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel.

The Miss Universe organization has been at the heart of a controversy since Noelia Voigt announced her resignation on May 6.

Voigt, 24, said in a statement on Instagram that she was stepping down to focus on her mental health, but days later, NBC News obtained a copy of Voigt’s resignation letter in which she blamed the CEO pageant, Laylah Rose, for creating a toxic work environment and failing. to deal with an incident of sexual harassment.

Rose released a statement saying, in part, that she takes the allegations seriously and that “the well-being of everyone associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”

After Voigt relinquished her title, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, resigned, as did Claudia Michelle, Miss USA’s social media manager.

Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii was crowned the new Miss USA 2023 in Voigt’s place and will hold the position until August, when a new winner will be announced. Miss Teen USA runner-up Stephanie Skinner was offered the crown after Srivastava resigned, but she refused to accept it.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com