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Justus Kelley makes history as first mother and wife to win Miss USA
Justus Kelley, representing Virginia, has been crowned Miss USA 2026 during the pageant’s 75th anniversary edition in Miami, Florida. Her victory marks a historic milestone for the competition, as she is the first contestant to hold the title while being a married woman, a mother, and over the age of 30.
These achievements were made possible by rule changes implemented by the Miss USA organization in 2023 and 2024, which removed previous restrictions on marital status, motherhood, and age limits. Kelley, 31, emphasized during the competition that women should not have to choose between professional ambitions and family life.
Beyond the pageant, Kelley is a community advocate, a children’s book author, and the founder of Foster Footprints, a nonprofit supporting youth in the foster care system. She and her husband, Tyler, are also licensed foster parents. Kelley is expected to represent the United States at the Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico this November.
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Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts · Amber Uhler · Audrey Eckert · Foster Footprints · Justus Kelley · Miami · Miss USA · Miss USA Organization · Miss Universe · Queen Beauty Network