‘You are never too old and it’s not too late’ – Miss Germany 2020

DORDABIS-born Leonie von Hase has Namibians from all walks of life celebrating her unconventional Miss Germany 2020 win.

The 35-year-old Von Hase was selected as the winner by an all female jury, scooping the big prize ahead of Lara Runarsson, Michelle-Anastasia Masalis and 13 other finalists.

This year the Miss Germany organisers implemented a new concept, in an effort to becoming more focused on ‘real women’ and promoting less of the ‘typical beauty queen’ image, they opened the competition to women between the ages of 18 and 39, and invited married women and mothers to enter. Also for the first time, the Miss Germany pageant did not include a bikini contest.

Von Hase grew up on a farm in the Kalahari together with her three sisters and her parents Raimar and Heidi.

“Both our parents have nurtured our sense of freedom and individualism and as a result we have all ended up creative and empowered to be ourselves in all aspects. I am so thankful for the unwavering support from Namibians in the online voting process. You have helped me get the crown as a Namibian,” she said.

The online entrepreneur expressed excitement at the rebranding of the pageant and its empowerment of women. She said her winning serves as proof that women no longer need to wear a dress to be regarded as beautiful.

“I believe that there should no longer be a beauty standard for women. Women should be seen in their variety and in their beauty as they get older too. I want to be a role model and urge others that you are never too old and that it’s never too late,” she said.

Her sister, well-known film director and producer Jana Bruckner told The Namibian yesterday that she is very proud that von Hase had the guts and tenacity to take part in the pageant while in her 30s.

“She did it despite being a busy mom and online entrepreneur. My sister has always been a trendsetter in her fashion sense, but also by embodying a modern image of a woman that is an amazing team player. She is also a great role model for other women to be authentic and live their own lives. In her reign as Miss Germany she stands for inner beauty,” Bruckner said.

After graduating from high school, Von Hase, who is a German citizen, studied marketing strategy and toured around the globe.

“I needed to get to know the whole world,” she said about living in Athens, London, Milan, Cape Town and Berlin before settling in Kiel five years ago. She currently runs the LeonieStore, an online shop for vintage fashion.

@rineldamouton on social media

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