Miss Universe Jordan 2026 has a surprising connection to Puerto Rico, and her story makes this year's international beauty competition even more interesting.
Destiny Anbar, who will represent Jordan at Miss Universe 2026, revealed that she was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Cupey. Now, she's returning to the island where her story began, but this time wearing the sash of a Middle Eastern country.
© Destiny AnbarIn a video shared by Enjoy Puerto Rico, the beauty queen spoke in Spanish about her Puerto Rican roots, her family's pageant history, and what it means to participate in the competition on the island.
"I'm very blessed to have this opportunity," Anbar shared. "After 66 years, Jordan is back to Miss Universe. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico; I grew up in Cupey, and for me this is a full-circle moment."
Miss Jordan 2026 Reveals She Was Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
While many Miss Universe contestants are traveling thousands of miles to discover Puerto Rico for the first time, Anbar is returning to a place she once called home.
The beauty queen revealed that she was born in San Juan and spent part of her childhood in Cupey, a community within the Puerto Rican capital.
Her fluency in Spanish was also on display during the Enjoy Puerto Rico interview, where she discussed her excitement about returning to the island.
For Anbar, competing in Puerto Rico carries a personal significance beyond the opportunity to represent Jordan internationally. She is returning to her birthplace for one of the most important moments of her pageant career.
And the timing is especially meaningful. Jordan has not competed in Miss Universe since 1960, making Anbar the country's first representative in 66 years.
Beauty Pageants Run in Destiny Anbar's Family
Anbar also shared another interesting detail about her upbringing: her mother was involved in Puerto Rican pageantry. "I've been preparing for this moment for three years, but I began competing in beauty pageants at 8 years old, my mom also competed in Miss Puerto Rico, so it runs in my veins," she said, according to the interview transcript.
© Destiny AnbarHer revelation suggests that beauty competitions have been part of her life since childhood.
Who Is Destiny Anbar, Miss Universe Jordan 2026?
Beyond her Puerto Rican roots, Destiny Anbar has an unconventional professional background for a beauty queen. She is a Texas-based data engineer, digital content creator, and esports advocate who is known online as The Glam Coder.
Her professional identity combines technology with beauty, fashion, and entertainment. Anbar previously participated in Miss Texas USA, reaching the semifinals in 2023 and 2024.
© Destiny AnbarThose appearances provided experience on the competitive pageant circuit before she was selected to represent Jordan at Miss Universe. Her appointment was announced in September 2026, marking the return of the Jordanian sash to the competition after more than six decades.
Jordan Returns to Miss Universe After 66 Years
Jordan's return is one of the notable developments of Miss Universe 2026. The country last participated in 1960, when Helen Giatanapoulos represented Jordan.
Since then, Jordan has been absent from the international competition. Anbar's selection ends that long hiatus and gives the country a new opportunity to participate on the global pageant stage.
Her experience in American beauty competitions, combined with her professional career, brings a contemporary profile to Jordan's historic comeback. And the fact that the competition is taking place in her birthplace makes the occasion even more memorable.
When and Where Is Miss Universe 2026?
The 75th Miss Universe competition is scheduled for November 24, 2026, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan. The event will feature contestants from around the world competing for the international title.
© Miss UniverseMajor activities are scheduled for November 21, including the national costume presentation, followed by preliminary competitions on November 22.
The final coronation ceremony will take place on November 24.
