Iris Mittenaere claimed the global spotlight in 2016 when she won the prestigious Miss Universe crown. This French model and television personality became only the second woman from France to achieve this honor. Her victory placed her among an elite group of international beauty pageant winners.
Before her international breakthrough, she built her reputation through national competitions. The journey began with regional titles that led to her being crowned Miss France 2016. This progression showed her steady rise through the competitive world of pageantry.
Born in January 1993 in Lille, France, she stands 1.72 meters tall with distinctive brown hair and eyes. Her career spans both modeling and television work, demonstrating versatility beyond the stage. She represents a modern success story built on dedication and professional achievement.
The path from dental student to international ambassador reveals a determined character. Her story connects regional French roots with worldwide recognition. This background sets the stage for understanding her complete professional evolution.
Early Life and Educational Journey
Long before the crown, the life of Iris Mittenaere was shaped by a family dedicated to education. She was born in January 1993 in Lille to parents who were both teachers.
Her father, Yves, taught history and geography. Her mother, Laurence, worked as a primary schoolteacher and museum guide.
Her parents divorced when she was three years old. She then grew up in Steenvoorde with her mother and her siblings—a brother, Baptiste, a sister, Cassandre, and a younger half-sister, Manon.
This environment fostered a strong work ethic. Mittenaere excelled in school, graduating with honors in 2011 with a science focus.
She moved back to Lille to attend Lille 2 University of Health and Law. There, she dedicated herself to dentistry.
Her plan was clear: become a dental surgeon. She was deep into her fifth year of surgical fellowship training when the world of pageantry called.
This academic rigor provided a foundation of discipline. It was a world away from the glamour that would later define her public image.
Breaking into the World of Pageantry
Her path to pageantry began with an unexpected Facebook message that would change everything. Organizers contacted Mittenaere directly when they struggled to find candidates for the Miss Flandre 2015 competition.
Local Triumphs: Miss Flandre and Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais
She entered the Miss Flandre 2015 pageant in Bailleul and won the title on May 2, 2015. This victory qualified her for the larger Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional competition.
The momentum continued in Orchies on September 26, 2015. She captured the Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais 2015 crown, securing her spot in the national Miss France 2016 pageant.
The Road to Miss France 2016 and Advocacy for Oral Health
On December 19, 2015, Iris Mittenaere achieved a historic victory in Lille. Outgoing Miss France 2015 Camille Cerf, herself from the same region, crowned her successor.
This created a back-to-back regional win that highlighted the area’s growing pageant strength. As Miss France 2016, she immediately put her dental training to work.
She launched nationwide oral health awareness campaigns targeting schoolchildren. Her platform blended beauty queen responsibilities with professional expertise.
During her reign, she traveled extensively to China, Italy, Morocco, and other nations. She also presented awards at the NRJ Music Awards in Cannes in November 2016.
This active approach to her title prepared her for the international stage that awaited.
Iris Mittenaere: A Pageantry Phenomenon
Competing as Miss France, she entered the 2016 pageant as the sole European contender to reach the semi-finals. This made her eventual victory against strong global competition particularly significant.
The moment culminated on January 30, 2017, in Manila. Iris Mittenaere was crowned Miss Universe 2016, succeeding Pia Wurtzbach.
Achieving Global Recognition at Miss Universe 2016
Her win carried substantial historical weight. Mittenaere became only the second French winner after Christiane Martel in 1953.
She also marked a return to European success in the competition.
- First European titleholder to complete a full reign since Norway’s Mona Grudt in 1990.
- First stable European winner since Russia’s Oxana Fedorova was dethroned shortly after her 2002 win.
The final question-and-answer portion proved decisive. Judge Mickey Boardman wrote in The New York Times that her responses “put her over the top.”
When asked about the refugee crisis, she advocated for open borders and global exchange. Her answer showed conviction and political awareness.
For the final question, she shared a personal story of failure. She described thinking she had failed her first year of medical school.
“The very same day I went to buy a new set of medical books to keep on studying,” she replied. This honest account of resilience connected her academic background to the stage, making her relatable and authentic.
The victory was earned through articulate substance, cementing her status as a true pageantry phenomenon.
Reign as Miss Universe and Global Ambassadorship
Her reign as Miss Universe 2016 transformed the title into a platform for global diplomacy and humanitarian outreach. She traveled constantly, representing the organization with grace and purpose.
International Travels, Diplomatic Events, and Charity Work
As Miss Universe, she served as a judge at national pageants worldwide. These included events in Jakarta, Cairo, Lima, New York City, and Mumbai.
Her role also involved significant diplomatic functions. Mittenaere attended events at French and U.S. embassies in several countries. In March 2017, she was a guest at Emmanuel Macron’s speech in New York City.
Charity became a central pillar of her year. As an ambassador for Smile Train, she visited patients in Mexico and Haiti. She also supported the Latino Commission on AIDS at events in New York City.
Her travels during that year as Miss Universe were extensive. The list of countries included:
- The Philippines and Indonesia
- Haiti and the Cayman Islands
- Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, India, and Egypt
Strategic Promotion of Cultural Exchange and Oral Health Advocacy
She maintained a strong presence in the fashion world. She walked runways for designers like Sherri Hill and Jean Paul Gaultier. She also attended the Cannes Film Festival and related charity events.
A highlight of her reign was a homecoming celebration in France during March 2017. President François Hollande received her at the Élysée Palace. She also received a regional award, cementing her status as a national figure.
Her final walk as Miss Universe 2016 was a memorable moment. She wore a stunning red gown by Michael Cinco. She then crowned Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters as the new Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas.
Her journey concluded with a Christmas tour in the Philippines. A documentary about her reign aired in France, captivating millions of viewers.
Transitioning to Television, Fashion, and Authorship
The transition from international pageant winner to media personality began in earnest during 2018. She quickly established herself across television, literature, and high fashion.
From Pageantry to TV Hosting and Festival Runways
Her television career launched with co-hosting duties on the French version of Ninja Warrior. She later competed on Danse avec les stars, placing second with professional partner Anthony Colette.
By February 2019, she hosted Lottery Drawings on TF1. The former Miss Universe also maintained strong fashion connections.
She judged Top Model Belgium and starred in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show. Her 2019 Cannes Film Festival appearance in Michael Cinco’s pink ballgown cemented her fashion credibility.
| Year | Television Role | Fashion Event | Charity Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ninja Warrior Co-host | Victoires de la Musique | Smile Train Ivory Coast |
| 2019 | Lottery Drawings Host | Cannes Film Festival | Children of Africa Foundation |
| 2022 | Drag Race France Judge | Morgan Brand Ambassador | Art Auction for Charity |
Autobiography, Digital Influence, and Industry Impact
In November 2018, she released her autobiography “Toujours y croire.” The book chronicled her journey from Northern France to the Miss Universe title.
Forbes France recognized her among the country’s top five digital influencers in 2019. This validated her successful transition from pageantry to media influence.
Her personal life included an engagement after a three-year relationship. Later relationships brought both public attention and personal challenges.
Reflecting on a Remarkable Journey of Success
Her story represents more than pageant success—it’s a case study in strategic career building across multiple industries. The discipline from dental studies translated into global diplomacy during her Miss Universe 2016 reign.
She leveraged each achievement into the next opportunity. Regional titles led to Miss France 2016, which became the foundation for international recognition. Her articulate responses about resilience secured the ultimate crown.
The year as Miss Universe showcased diplomatic skill and humanitarian commitment. She represented France at embassies worldwide while advocating for oral health awareness.
Post-reign, Iris Mittenaere transitioned seamlessly into television hosting and fashion. Documentaries drew millions, while judging roles and runway appearances maintained her industry presence.
This trajectory demonstrates how platform-building creates lasting careers. Each phase connected logically to the next, proving that authentic engagement outlasts temporary fame.
