When Fátima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand, the roar inside Impact Challenger Hall felt like the release of days of suspense.
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig placed the crown on her head as cameras flashed across the gigantic venue in Pak Kret, and Miss Mexico officially became the newest queen of the Miss Universe family.
Her win capped an emotional, unpredictable edition of the pageant that featured 121 contestants, tense moments behind the scenes, and one tiny detail that tugged at the heartstrings of fans around the world.
That detail did not sparkle like her crown. It was not part of her gown or her jewelry. Instead, it sat quietly on her sash. Miss Mexico proudly wore a pin shaped like a corgi.
The pin was easy to miss among the sequins and spotlights, but for Bosch, it was the most meaningful part of her wardrobe. The symbol honored Rocco, her corgi who passed away in September and who remained, in her words, her baby.
The accessory first appeared during the sash ceremony, when she stepped out in a blue mermaid cut gown that quickly became a fan favorite. She added it only after receiving the title of Miss Universe Mexico, since the pin does not appear in earlier training videos or rehearsal clips.
Before the pageant ever began, Bosch had already shared her grief with her followers. After Rocco’s death, she posted a tribute that revealed the depth of their bond.
“Today a piece of my heart went to heaven. Rocco wasn’t just my little dog, he was my confidant, my baby, my loyal companion, and the purest friend life ever gave me. We grew up together, he was with me through joy and sadness, and he taught me what unconditional love really means. Ten years together, but we needed more. You will always be with me," she wrote.
Fans who had admired Rocco’s own Instagram account knew how central he had been in her life. The meaning of the pin came into focus when Bosch addressed it publicly during a Q&A on the pageant’s social media platforms.
Holding her sash close to the camera, she said, “I have this dog pin on my sash. And it’s something really personal, because my dog just passed away two months ago.” She admitted that the grief was still very real. “I was very sad about it. I am still very sad about it, but I was thinking of a creative way to always carry him with me, and I just found this pin.”
Calling it a little bit of magic, she explained why it mattered so much. “Because now I can have him with me all the time during this great experience. My dog’s name was Rocco, and he was my baby. I was with him for ten years. So I hope he is doing well in heaven, and also with me. I like to think he is with me all the time.”
Her vulnerability made headlines almost as quickly as her dramatic confrontation with Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of the Miss Universe organization in Thailand. During one of the pre-event meetings, he accused her publicly of disobedience and even called her “stupid.”
She defended herself moments later. “I want to say something to all of you. You know your country has all my respect. I truly love Thailand, I respect everyone, and I think you’re wonderful people. But what your director just did was not respectful.” With visible emotion, she added, “He called me stupid because he has issues with the organization. I think it’s unfair. I’m here doing everything right, I don’t bother anyone, I just try to be kind.”
Her national director, George Figueroa, reinforced his support, calling her strength a superpower. The Miss Universe Organization released a statement of its own, noting its dedication to respect, safety, and integrity for all participants.
Once viewers learned who she was behind the crown, her triumph felt even more personal. Born May 19, 2000, in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Bosch grew up surrounded by animals and the lush nature of her state. Her compassion and curiosity were shaped not only by her environment but also by childhood diagnoses of dyslexia, ADHD, and hyperactivity.
Turning academic challenges into strengths, she developed a creative drive that eventually took her from Vermont to Mexico City to Milan, where she studied fashion with an emphasis on sustainable design.
By the time she became Miss Universe Mexico earlier this year, she was already an accomplished designer, activist, and community advocate. Now, as the first woman from Tabasco to win both the national title and the Miss Universe crown, she wears her victory with the same warmth she carried when she introduced the world to her tiny corgi pin.