So when Ms Universe, the famed beauty pageant which began nine years after Ms Choi was born, decided to throw out rules banning entrants over the age of 28 earlier this year, she jumped at the chance to take part - making her the oldest ever contestant so far to take part.

South Korean model Choi Soon-hwa on Monday narrowly missed becoming the oldest person to win Miss Universe Korea, competing with a group of 32 women in Seoul at the age of 80. The competition allows the winner to represent South Korea in November’s Miss Universe competition. Choi was the oldest finalist the pageant has seen.

An 81-year-old model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the South Korean pageant against much younger rivals. Dressed in a beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage and performed in a singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant held Monday at a hotel in South Korea’s capital,

Choi, former hospital care worker who began modelling in 70s, was announced a finalist along with 31 contestants

An 80-year-old South Korean model, Choi Soon-hwa, has made headlines by becoming the oldest contestant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant. With her white hair and vibrant spirit, she stands out among her much younger competitors,

An 81-year-old model has taken part in a Miss Universe Korea pageant in an attempt to become the world's oldest Miss Universe contestant. Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage in a beaded white gown and performed in a singing contest at the Miss Universe ...

So when Ms Universe, the famed beauty pageant which began nine years after Ms Choi was born, decided to throw out rules banning entrants over the age of 28 earlier this year, she jumped at the chance to take part - making her the oldest ever contestant so far to take part.

An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant. She did, however, take home the "best dresser" award.

In a remarkable milestone for both age and beauty, 80-year-old South Korean model Choi Soon-hwa has made history by becoming the oldest contestant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant.

An 81-year-old model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the South Korean pageant against much younger rivals.

A Korean grandmother is defying beauty stereotypes in her quest to represent the East Asian country at this November’s Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.