Jennifer Ventura is the new Miss Dominican Republic Universe. This past Sunday, Ventura took the title and is set to represent her country in Thailand at Miss Universe 2025. She was crowned by the current Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, and follows in the footsteps of Celinee Santos, the previous Miss Dominican Republic.
Despite all the celebration, Ventura's life was marked by a tragedy this past April, one that put in doubt her desire to participate in the competition.
Ventura, 25, alongside many other residents of the Dominican Republic, was affected by the Jet Set tragedy, losing her mother, Roselin Marte Nova, when the venue collapsed at a Rubby Perez performance.
The loss was one that affected Ventura deeply. "I thought that that event was going to stay in a memory box, but life moves in an extraordinary way, creating a sense of purpose," she said in the Dominican program "Trukamelo."
"I understood that her death was going to be the great driver for me on this new path, and I'm sure that it will transform my life and many other lives."
Ventura felt her mother's presence all through the night, with her revealing that her evening gown was a tribute to her.
"The orchid blooms where memory lives," she wrote on Instagram. "This dress is a tribute to my mother… Every detail carries the essence of the woman who taught me to love with tenderness and shine with strength."
Ventura has a college degree in engineering and is a veteran in beauty pageants, participating in Miss Dominican Republic International 2022, Miss International 2022 in Tokyo, and Miss International 2019 in Egypt.
More details about Ventura's special night
On Sunday night, Ventura was the first contestant in 40 years to take the crown to the province of Barahona. She came out on top against 29 other contestants, who stunned in evening gowns, swimsuits, and more.
While Ventura delivered a great performance across all realms, she became the crowd's favorite in the Q&A round when she was asked about how to best offer protection to women suffering from gender-based violence.
"We should start with education," she said. "If we want change, we must begin with our children, so they understand the role of women, who are the backbone of our society. They must learn the value of women in society."
The concise answer brought audience members to their feet and became one of the most shared moments online.