Alisija Mačado

Alisija Mačado is a Venezuelan beauty queen who gained international fame after winning the Miss Universe title in 1996 at the age of 19. Despite her initial success, her reign became mired in controversy due to disparaging remarks made by Donald Trump, the owner of the pageant at the time, who publicly mocked her appearance and weight. Mačado has since become an outspoken advocate against racism and misogyny, sharing her experiences of abuse in the public eye. Her story resurfaced during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign as a symbol of Trump's controversial attitudes toward women. In a surprising twist in 2025, she publicly supported Trump regarding a military operation against a criminal cartel in Venezuela, stating that personal grievances were secondary to the needs of her country.