You’ve probably seen the viral clips of the Arena CDMX erupting in cheers. Or maybe you’re just one of the thousands of people typing María Fernanda Beltrán Wikipedia into a search bar trying to figure out how she actually placed in Miss Universe 2024.
The internet is a messy place for facts. Some sites say she won; others barely mention her academic background. Honestly, the real story of this Sinaloa native is way more interesting than just a crown and a sash.
Who Exactly is María Fernanda Beltrán?
Born on February 15, 2000, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, María Fernanda Beltrán Figueroa isn't your average "pageant girl." She’s a 5’10” powerhouse who basically spent 2024 carrying the hopes of an entire nation on her shoulders.
Most people know her as Miss Universe Mexico 2024. But if you dig into the data, you’ll find she was already a veteran of the circuit. Before the big stage, she held titles like Miss Grand Mexico 2023 and International Queen of the Pacific. She didn’t just wake up and decide to be famous.
She’s a Marketing and Communication graduate from the prestigious Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM). That’s a heavy-duty school. It explains why she’s so polished in front of a camera. Oh, and she’s reportedly working on a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence. Yeah, AI.
✨ Don't miss: Mia Khalifa New Sex Research: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her 2014 Career
The Miss Universe 2024 Reality Check
Let’s get the stats straight because the "María Fernanda Beltrán Wikipedia" entries can get confusing with all the different pageant years.
In November 2024, Mexico hosted the Miss Universe pageant. The pressure was insane. Fernanda didn't just participate; she dominated the prelims. On the final night, she made it all the way to the Top 5.
She finished as the 2nd Runner-Up.
- Winner: Victoria Kjær Theilvig (Denmark)
- 1st Runner-Up: Chidimma Adetshina (Nigeria)
- 2nd Runner-Up: María Fernanda Beltrán (Mexico)
This was a huge deal. She became only the third Mexican woman in history to hit that specific 2nd Runner-Up spot, joining the ranks of Amanda Olivares and Sofía Aragón. It wasn't the win people wanted, but in a field of 130 contestants, it was a massive statement.
🔗 Read more: Is Randy Parton Still Alive? What Really Happened to Dolly’s Brother
The Business Side: GlazeCLN and Philanthropy
Fernanda isn't just waiting for brand deals to fall into her lap. She’s an entrepreneur. She founded a makeup line called GlazeCLN (or sometimes just Glaze), which focuses on customizable lipsticks.
Then there’s the Marbe Foundation.
She’s been very vocal about being a victim of cyberbullying. It’s not just a pageant talking point for her. She uses her foundation to coordinate food drives and clothes for families in need, while also running anti-bullying campaigns. Kinda rare to see that level of actual footwork from someone with her schedule.
What the "Wikipedia" Pages Often Skip
People love to focus on the height and the hair, but they miss the linguistic flex. She is trilingual. She speaks Spanish, English, and French fluently.
💡 You might also like: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
There's also the "Sinaloa Factor." Usually, Sinaloa is associated with... well, other things in the news. Fernanda has been very open about wanting to change the narrative of her home state. She wants people to see the culture, the intelligence, and the talent coming out of Culiacán.
Why She’s Still Trending in 2026
Even though she crowned her successor, Fátima Bosch, in late 2025, Fernanda’s influence hasn't faded. She’s transitioned into a "communicator of dreams"—her own words. You'll see her at New York Fashion Week or speaking at tech conferences about AI and ethics.
She’s basically the blueprint for the "Modern Miss." It’s less about walking in a swimsuit and more about leveraging a massive social media following to build a literal business empire.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers
If you’re looking to follow her career or learn from her "path to the top," here is the actual breakdown of how she did it:
- Academic Foundation First: She didn't skip school for pageants. Having that Marketing degree from ITESM gave her the tools to brand herself before she ever hit the global stage.
- Multilingualism as a Tool: If you want to compete globally, you need languages. Her ability to switch between French and English made her a favorite with international judges.
- Own Your Narrative: She turned her experience with cyberbullying into a platform. Instead of hiding from the trolls, she built a foundation to fight them.
- Diversify Your Interests: Don’t just be one thing. She’s a model, but she’s also an AI student and a cosmetics CEO.
The takeaway here? María Fernanda Beltrán isn't just a name on a Wikipedia list of pageant winners. She’s a case study in how to use a platform to build something that lasts way longer than a one-year reign.
Check her official social media channels for her latest projects in the tech and beauty space, as she’s currently expanding Glaze into international markets.