Mittenaere competed in Miss Universe 2016 where she succeeded Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines . Mittenaere became only the second woman from her country to win the crown after Christiane Martel won Miss Universe 1953 , breaking France 's 63-year title drought . Mittenaere is the first European winner since Miss Universe 2002 Oxana Fedorova of Russia , who was dethroned , and the first European titleholder to complete her year as Miss Universe since Mona Grudt of Norway who won Miss Universe 1990
Miss Universe 1953
Miss Universe 1953
Iris Mittenaere