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Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023) Biography: Age, Career, Family,

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth30 May 2000

Age23 Years

BirthplaceDiriamba, Carazo, Nicaragua

ProfessionModel, TV Host, Businesswoman, Social Activist

NationalityNicaraguan

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyMother - Raquel Cornejo; Brother - Alex; Maternal Grandmother - Silvia Cornejo

Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023) Biography

Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo is a Nicaraguan model, television host, entrepreneur and social activist who made history as Miss Universe 2023, becoming

Early life and background

Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo was born on 30 May 2000 in Diriamba, Carazo, Nicaragua. Raised by a single mother, Raquel Cornejo, she grew up in Diriamba and later studied in Managua at La Salle School and the American Nicaraguan School for an English course. She completed a bachelor’s degree in mass communication at the Central American University (UCA) in Managua.

Her family includes a younger brother, Alex, and her maternal grandmother, Silvia Cornejo. Palacios has described her mother as an important inspiration in her life.

Career

Palacios began competing in pageants while still in school. She won Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016 representing Carazo and later placed among the top 10 at Miss Teen Universe 2017 held in Managua. She went on to win Miss World Nicaragua in 2020 and represented her country at Miss World 2021, advancing through a head-to-head Fastrack challenge to appear on the Miss World 2021 stage in San Juan, Puerto Rico; she finished among the Top 40.

On 5 August 2023 she was crowned Miss Nicaragua 2023. That November she achieved global recognition by winning Miss Universe 2023 at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Her victory marked several milestones: she became the first woman from Nicaragua to win Miss Universe and the second woman from Central America to hold the title.

Beyond pageants, Palacios has worked as a model, walking runways and taking part in fashion shoots. She has also served as a television host on the Canal 11 program "Understand Your Mind," a show that focuses on mental health awareness. She has expressed ambitions to build an international public relations company, work as an audio-visual producer, and pursue postgraduate study in cinematography and audiovisual production.

Public profile

Palacios is known for her social and community work. In November 2020 she launched a fundraiser project called "Uniting Lives" after hurricanes affected Nicaragua, aiming to rebuild local infrastructure. She has organized more than 100 fundraisers for various causes, supported cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries through a program called "Smiles That Teach," and opened a veterinary clinic in the La Fuente neighbourhood in Managua. Her television work has reached people dealing with anxiety; she has said the show helped more than 60 women and has spoken publicly about experiencing anxiety herself during her teenage years.

She runs a food business in partnership with her mother called Buñuelos La Guadalupana. Palacios is an animal lover who keeps four dogs named Bruce, Brownie, Koda, and Simba.

Public image and recognitions

Palacios's Miss Universe win generated widespread attention in Nicaragua and beyond. During the competition she discussed choosing Mary Wollstonecraft as a woman she would spend a year with, highlighting historical struggles for women’s rights. For the national costume round she wore a gown inspired by the El Zanate bird, a species familiar in Nicaragua. Her win also prompted commercial recognition: a Barbie doll edition was produced modeled on her appearance.

She has taken public stances in support of the LGBTQ+ community by attending rallies and has shared personal experiences, including an incident of harassment she described from when she was 17.

Latest updates

As Miss Universe 2023, Palacios continues to be active in charitable projects, television, and public appearances. She continues to be photographed for fashion shoots and remains engaged with causes tied to mental health, community rebuilding, and veterinary care in Managua.

Personal interests

Palacios enjoys reading, solving puzzles, beaches, gym workouts, horseback riding, dancing, volleyball and outdoor sports such as sandboarding. Musically, she has mentioned Luis Pastor as a favored singer. She is unmarried and has been in a relationship with Hanny Javier Falcon. She lists Catholic Christianity as her religion.
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Recent Work

Miss Universe 2023

Winner of the Miss Universe 2023 competition held in San Salvador, El Salvador on 18 November 2023.

2023
Miss Nicaragua 2023

Crowned Miss Nicaragua on 5 August 2023, qualifying her to represent Nicaragua at Miss Universe.

2023
Understand Your Mind (TV show)

Host and presenter of a mental health awareness program on Canal 11.

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Career Highlights

  1. First Nicaraguan woman to win Miss Universe (2023)
  2. Winner of Miss Nicaragua 2023
  3. Miss World Nicaragua 2020
  4. Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016
  5. Television host of a mental health awareness program
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023) born?

30 May 2000

What is Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023) known for?

Model, TV Host, Businesswoman, Social Activist

What is Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023)’s marital status?

Unmarried