The Miss Nederland is a national beauty pageant in the Netherlands. The pageant was founded in 1929 in Amsterdam.
History
Former pageant
From 1929 to 1931, the Netherlands held a national pageant in Amsterdam for the first time called "Miss Holland". From 1932 to 1949 the pageant was briefly discontinued and later recommenced in 1951 by the Miss Holland Organization.[1]
In 1951 the Netherlands debuted at the Miss World pageant and the Miss Universe pageant in 1956. The national beauty pageant was called "Miss Holland" from 1950 until 1990, since that year the winner competed at the Miss Universe, while runners-up traditionally competed at the Miss World pageant and the Miss International pageant. Since 1991 it became known as "Miss Nederland" whose winner went on to the Miss World pageant. From 1991 to 2008 the Miss Universe representatives were selected from "Miss Universe Netherlands" pageant. The program was televised live on Veronica television.[2][3]
Organizers
1929–1976 — “Het Leven” (the Life)
1977–1978 — Corinne Rottschaefer (De Telegraph)
1989–2008 — Hans Konings(CEO) Miss Nederland 0rganisatie in cooperation with RTL4 and SBS6
1991–1994 — Miss Universe Nederland by Veronica TV
2009–2019 — Kim Kötter
2020–Present — Monica van Ee (Hannah)
Miss Nederland Organisation
In 2009, Kim Kötter became the national director of the Netherlands. She competed at the Miss Universe 2002 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Usually, the Miss Nederland titleholder will compete at both the Miss Universe and the Miss World pageant. In 2013, two winners were crowned as the Miss Netherlands Universe and Miss Netherlands World pageant to represent their country at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants, respectively. In 2016, the Miss Nederland only had the Miss Universe franchise. In 2024, the Miss Nederland gave up the Miss Universe franchise and a new Miss Universe Netherlands pageant was established.
Titleholders
The magazine “Het Leven” (the Life) organised the first Miss Holland pageant. The winners of Miss Holland between 1929 and 1935 attended International Pageant of Pulchritude (Miss Universe) in Galveston, USA. Later from 1991 to 2008 the Miss Universe Nederland pageant was broadcast live on Veronica television. In 2009 Kim Kötter got also the right to send a girl to the Miss World pageant. She also took over the Miss Nederland franchise. Since that year Miss Nederland winner goes to Miss Universe pageant.
Year
Miss Nederland
Province
Notes
1929
Johanna Koopman
—
Miss Holland pageant — “Het Leven” (the Life) directorship
1930
Emmy Kuster
—
The winner, Emmy Kuster had to be disqualified as she was not honest about her age. The new winner and the second Miss Holland in the Dutch history is therefore Rie van der Rest
1931
Marie van Lelyveld
—
Mary was just 17 when she won the pageant. She was a student but because she missed too many classes because of her duties as Miss Holland she was dispelled from school
1932
Carolina Geels
—
1934
Sonja Coers
—
1935
Stella Elte
—
1936
Mia Kramer
—
1937
Elisa Schimpf
—
1948
Mary Jochemse
—
1950
Hilda Lesman
—
1951
Elisabeth van Proosdij
—
Did not enter the Miss World pageant in 1952 because she got married during her reign as Miss Holland
Rita called the dutch Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately this did not make her a semi-finalist. When Rita got married in January 1957, Ans took over the duties of Miss Holland 1956
The winner of Miss Nederland former: "Miss Holland" represents her country at the Miss Universe pageant. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
Between 1951-1990 Netherlands was competed at the Miss World contest by Miss Holland 1st Runner-up or sometimes, Winner. While in 1991-2008 the Miss Netherlands selected the official candidate to the Miss World pageant. Between 1990 and 2008 Miss World Netherlands had selected by Miss Netherlands (Another agency Hans Konings). Between 2009 and 2015 Miss Nederland by Kim Kötter selects a runner-up to Miss World. Since 2016 the Miss World Netherlands is holding an official pageant to select a national winner for Miss World. The new franchise holder in the Netherlands, Katia Maes produced several successful Dutch young women in different pageants worldwide.