Dominican journalist Joheirry Mola Dominguez has been crowned Miss World 2026, becoming only the second woman from the Dominican Republic to win the title in the pageant’s 75-year history.
The 24-year-old was crowned on Saturday at the anniversary edition of the competition in Vietnam, beating more than 100 contestants.
Elisabeth Reynes of Spain was first runner-up, with Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty named second runner-up.
Mola’s path to the crown has extended well beyond the runway.
A graduate in business management and administration from the Universidad Iberoamericana, Unibe, she has worked as a teacher, broadcaster and community advocate. She teaches literature and social studies in English and is a news correspondent for Univision New York’s Ventana a Quisqueya, covering Dominican culture, community affairs and social issues.
In March, she reported on the Premios Soberano, one of the Dominican Republic’s biggest entertainment awards, and hosted press conferences around the event.
Central to her Miss World campaign was Voices of Tomorrow, the organisation she founded and leads as president. The initiative focuses on expanding access to English-language education for children and young people in vulnerable communities, which Mola argues opens doors to higher education, employment and global opportunities.
After winning Miss World Dominican Republic 2025 – having first represented Distrito Nacional and won the national title at the Barceló Punta Cana Convention Centre – she used the global platform to highlight education in underserved areas.
Her performance in the Top Model challenge secured an automatic spot in the Top 40. She later advanced to the final six alongside contestants from Eritrea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Spain and South Africa.
Her win ends a 44-year wait for the Dominican Republic, whose first and only previous title was won by Mariasela Alvarez in 1982.
“This crown is for every child who dreams of learning and every young person who believes education can change their life,” Mola said after her win.
From classroom teacher and television journalist to Miss World 2026, Mola will now undertake a year of global advocacy work focused on education, youth empowerment and humanitarian causes.
