The newly crowned Miss Dominican Republic, Jennifer Ventura, is set to represent her country on the global stage at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this coming November 2025, but her victory is tinged with sorrow. The pageant queen’s mother, architect Joselín Marte, was one of the victims of the tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on 8 April 2025. The number of victims in the tragedy is more than 267.
Ventura, who represented the province of Barahona, dedicated her win to her mother’s memory. Marte’s body was recovered from the rubble of the popular entertainment venue on 9 April, the day after the tragic incident that claimed several lives and left numerous others injured. Joselín Marte, originally from Barahona, was married to engineer Bolívar Ventura, a well-known professional in the province.
Jennifer Ventura was crowned Miss Dominican Republic 2025 on Sunday night by Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark. Ventura succeeds Celinee Santos. The emotional night saw 28 candidates from various provinces compete in one of the country’s most significant fashion and entertainment events.
This is the first time the southwestern province of Barahona celebrates its first-ever Miss Dominican Republic crown.
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CDN
N Digital
12 August 2025