Rikkie Valerie Kolle becomes first transgender to win Miss Netherlands

Rikkie Valerie Kolle becomes first transgender to win Miss Netherlands

Rikkie Valerie Kolle has scripted history by becoming the first-ever transgender to be crowned Miss Netherlands. 

The pageantry took place at AFAS Theater in Leusden. Rikkie Valerie Kollé, a 22-year-old Dutch-Moluccan models who lives in Breda, is succeeding Ona Moody and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador.

26-year-old Nathalie Mogbelzada from Amsterdam, was named first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were awarded Miss Congeniality and Miss Social Media, respectively.

Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA graced the historic event as a special guest.

Kolle is now set to become the second transgender person to have participate in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant. The trailblazer before her was Spain’s Angela Ponce, who made history in 2018.