65-year-old grandma wins beauty contest in Brazil

A 65-year-old grandmother topped a list of Brazil’s most beautiful elderly women, according to a statement released by contest organizers in Brazil.

Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, and Camila Alves, are all on a list of beautiful women in Brazil.

Now, is the time to add 65-year-old grandmother Irenilda de Oliveira Meneses to that list.

The gorgeous grandmother beat out 200 other women last week to win the crown of the most beautiful woman in Brazil, among the elderly. The woman, who was nicknamed Barbie by her friends, wore a long dress and a big smile, at the event. She was one of the 25 finalists selected to compete in the beauty pageant in Sao Paulo, which was open to women 60 years or older.

“To win is very exciting, very exciting,” Meneses said. “I’m so moved, I’m speechless. I’m still speechless,” she added.

Besides being named the most beautiful woman this year, Meneses is also the mother of two children.

The contest saw women up to 87-years-old judged on their physical appearance, smile, personality, elegance and more. While Barbie took home the top award, other awards were given out including the most shy.

“The most important thing is that the elderly women feel like they’re participating in life,” contest organizer Anilton Guedes said. “Life does not stop for them. They are still are in the game,” the contest organizer added.

“I am very happy for the elderly women, as they have something to look up to. A lot of elderly I know get depressed because of their old age, and such a contest makes them feel young again,” Jill Gomez, 30, of Salt Lake City, Utah told YourJewishNews.com when asked to comment about the elderly women’s beauty contest.

The oldest contestant, 87, Maria Helena Fernandes, said that despite her age the competition made her feel young.

“We have to take advantage of life as much as we can,” she said. “Today I am extremely happy to be here,” she added.