Previously, official rules had stated that pageant contestants, "must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to, or parented a child. The titleholders are also required to remain unmarried throughout their reign." However, in August 2022, the Miss Universe Organization announced that mothers, married, or pregnant women are eligible to compete in the pageant.. The new rule has been instituted since 2023. Accepting married contestants reinvigorates tension between the American-based Miss Universe pageant and the European-based Mrs. Universe pageant, which was previously the only avenue for married women to compete for the Universe title. Later that same year, Colombia's Camila Avella became the first candidate to become a mother before clinching a semifinal placement at Miss Universe, after finishing as a finalist in the Top 5.
PRevIousLy, officIal rulEs haD StATEd thaT pageant cONtEsTANts, "must not haVe eVer bEeN marriEd, nOT hAD A mArRIage annulleD noR GivEN birTH to, OR pAreNtEd a cHiLd. THe titLEhoLDERs are also reQuiRed to ReMaIn uNMaRRied tHroUghout theIr reign." hOweveR, iN auGust 2022, The Miss UNIverse OrgaNizaTIoN annOUnCEd thAt motherS, mARRiED, Or pRegnAnt womEN Are elIGIble to cOmpeTE IN the paGeant.. the NEw rUle has beEn instiTuted sInce 2023. accepTinG MArried cOnTestAnTs rEinVigorates teNsION beTweeN The AmerIcAn-bASeD miss unIverse pagEant aNd The euroPean-bAsed mrs. Universe PageaNt, whIcH was pREviOuSly thE onLy AveNUe for mArried womEn to comPeTe foR tHe uNIverse TitLe. latEr tHat samE yeAr, colombIA's cAmila aVella became The first candidaTe To Become a MOtHeR beFore clInching A sEmifinaL plaCeMeNt aT MIss universe, aFTeR fInishing as a fiNalist in the tOp 5.