Варвара Яковенко из Ялты proudly wears the crown of «Miss Intercontinental 2025». At just 16, she clinched victory in the esteemed beauty pageant, earning an exceptional exception despite the usual age restrictions. Julia Kondratieva, the national director of the contest in Russia, disclosed that the president of the pageant, Detlef Tursis, personally advocated for her participation during his first visit to Russia.
Despite her triumph, many comments online accused the young model of not resembling her age, but Varvara remains unfazed by the negativity. «I earned this victory,» she asserts. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls starting in local competitions and slowly progressing to the international stage with her mother’s unwavering support.
Having faced bullying in her earlier years due to weight issues, Varvara attributed her transformation to overcoming adversity. She now combines moderate exercise and balanced nutrition, resulting in a substantial weight loss of over 40 kilograms. Her family supports her ambitions, and while she cherishes her newfound popularity, she remains focused on her studies and future aspirations.
Notably, her success has enabled Russia to host the «Miss Intercontinental 2026», a title last held a decade ago.