Bea Millan-Windorski
Filipino and American beauty pageant titleholder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beatrice Rebecca "Bea" Millan-Windorski (born 2002 or 2003) is a Filipino and American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Philippines 2026. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant.
2002 or 2003 (age 23–24)
- 2024
- Miss Earth Water 2024
- Miss Universe Philippines La Union 2026
- Miss Universe Philippines 2026
Bea Millan-Windorski | |
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Millan-Windorski in 2025 | |
| Born | Beatrice Rebecca Millan-Windorski 2002 or 2003 (age 23–24) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1] |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title |
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| Hair color | Brown[1] |
| Eye color | Brown[1] |
| Major competitions |
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Born to an immigrant family in Wisconsin, Millan-Windorski studied US–ASEAN relations before entering pageantry. She represented the United States at Miss Earth 2024, where she won the supplemental title Miss Earth – Water.
After her stint in the competition, she moved to the Philippines. In 2026, the accredited partner of La Union for the Miss Universe Philippines competition named her as their candidate for the 2026 edition, where she won the main title.
Early life and education
Millan-Windorski's maternal grandparents, Alfredo C. Millan and Marcela B. Millan, immigrated to the United States from La Union, Philippines, while her paternal relatives immigrated from Germany and Poland.[2][3] She grew up in a predominantly White area of Wisconsin and recalled being labeled as Filipino in her community.[3]
She went to Whitefish Bay High School where she was a member of the varsity dance team, string orchestra, and the debate team, and ballet and cello at the Milwaukee Ballet School and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, respectively.[2] She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received bachelor's degrees in History and International Relations.[2] While at college, she became a member of the Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. Her research interests included US–ASEAN relations.[2]
Pageantry
Miss Earth USA 2024
Millan-Windorski represented Wisconsin at the Miss Earth USA 2024. In preparation for the pageant, she trained with Alma Cabasal, Miss Philippines Earth Water 2013, and collaborated with Los Angeles-based Filipino designer Carl Andrada for her gowns in both the preliminary round and the finals. She went on to win the title, becoming the first Filipino American to win the contest, at the age of 21.[4][5]
Miss Earth 2024
As Miss Earth USA, Millan-Windorski represented the United States at the Miss Earth 2024 pageant. In the press presentation, she won gold in the Best Philippine Heritage Attire Award.[6] During the finals, she was advanced as a semifinalist and progressed to the top four final question-and-answer round.[7] She and her co-finalists were all asked about how they could promote old traditions in a world obsessed with modern technology. In her answer, she advocated for a return to "natural modes of production" and restraint in technological progress to recognize how natural features of the planet's ecosystem counteract global warming.[8]
At the end of the event, she was named Miss Earth Water (equivalent to third place), with Jessica Lane of Australia winning the Miss Earth 2024 title, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland as Miss Earth Air (equivalent to second place), and Niva Antezana of Peru as Miss Earth Fire (equivalent to fourth place).[5]
Miss Universe Philippines 2026
Before the press presentation of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 pageant, an array of online sources cited by Philippine Daily Inquirer noted Millan-Windorski as a potential candidate for the competition.[9] On February 10, the local accredited partner for La Union formally named her as their representative for the contest.[10] Leading up to the pageant, media outlets, including The Philippine Star, identified her as a frontrunner for the title.[11]
Millan-Windorski qualified for the top 30 through the selection committee' choices and progressed through the top 15 and top 7.[12] During the final question-and-answer portion, she was asked about the importance of representing the Philippines on the global stage despite the citizens' frustration over their country.[13] In her response, she emphasized the "limitless potential of the Filipino people", noting her love for country and identity as a Filipina who grew up in a "non-diverse" area in the United States and pledged to be a "public servant" as a titleholder.[14]
At the end of the event, she was named the winner, being crowned by her predecessor, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon.[15]
Miss Universe 2026
Millan-Windorski will represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2026.[15]
Advocacies and causes
Millan-Windorski identifies as an advocate for the environment and migrant workers.[5][16] Having volunteered for refugee communities in Milwaukee at the age of 16, she heads the advocacy group Open Doors, Open Hearts, which aims support awareness on the experiences of climate refugees.[5] At the same time, she is active with Project Curma, which seeks to conserve sea turtles native to La Union.
In response to the flood control projects scandal in the Philippines, Millan-Windorski has participated in demonstrations against government corruption, including the Trillion Peso March.[17]
Personal life
Millan-Windorski is a Catholic.[18] In January 2024, she completed a fellowship with the Philippine Embassy and an internship in Washington, D.C.[2] Following her stint at Miss Earth 2024, Millan-Windorski moved to the Philippines.[9] As of 2026, she is a resident of Makati.[19]
