“It’s never too late,” oldest Miss France winner says as she wins pageant at age 34 after age limit was scrapped (photos)

A flight attendant from the French Caribbean island of Martinique has become the oldest woman to win the Miss France beauty pageant. 

Angélique Angarni-Filopon was crowned champion on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the age of 34, telling women it’s “never too late” for a career change. 

The competition, which has run since 1920, had previously banned women over the age of 24 from contesting. 

The age limit was scrapped in 2022, while the net was also widened to include mothers, married women and those with tattoos as organisers sought to “change with the times”. 

Contestants are still required to be at least 5ft 7in, never to have posed nude and be free of cosmetic surgery save for restorative procedures. 

Frédéric Gilbert, the Miss France chairman, said rule changes which also allow transgender women to compete would promote “diversity”. 

“People are always talking about my age. I think I am well-preserved. I have not got wrinkles,” Ms Angarni-Filopon said after winning the crown, adding: “The thirties are perhaps the best age. 

“In my twenties, I spent a lot of time trying to find out who I was. I wanted to be like everyone else.” 

Beaming in a white gown, Ms Angarni-Filopon proudly added: “My short hair and my age absolutely don’t define me.” 

Having fallen short of qualifying for the Miss France competition in 2011, when she finished runner-up in the Miss Martinique competition, Ms Angarni-Filopon hoped her win would inspire others to pursue their dream. 

“You’d be surprised at the number of messages I’ve received from women who want to change careers, countries, lives, but who think it’s impossible. It’s never too late,” she said. 

Thirty candidates, including doctors and dentists, took part in the contest, parading in swimsuits, regional costumes and ballgowns. 

Miss France is judged half on public vote and half by a panel of seven female judges. 

After television viewers voted for her to win, Ms Angarni-Filopon will receive a salary of up to €60,000 for 12 months, a flat near the Arc de Triomphe and a car.