The rise of Zozibini Tunzi came pretty fast. The South African model started her pageantry career in 2017, and by 2019, she had already gained fame and fortune across the country and beyond, first as Miss South Africa 2019 and later as the winner of the Miss Universe 2019. Like every queen, she was given a worthy queendom with her massive house said to cost over R5 million. She also got a fancy car, all thanks to her win, which also helped her net worth, which is estimated at a mouth-watering $3 million.
Although her glory at the Miss Universe stage meant she was leaving behind the prizes she won as Miss South Africa, it also meant she proceeded to better things. Born on 18 September 1993, Zozibini Tunzi began her life in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, without much inclination for what life has in store for her less than three decades after she was born. She completed her education and proceeded to start a normal career before delving into pageantry, which has now thrust her on the path to riches.
Zozibini Tunzi Got A House And New Car When She Became Miss South AfricaÂ
In August 2019 when Zozibini Tunzi was named Miss South Africa, she was given different things, including a luxurious house in Sandton, which was supposed to be hers for a year until her reign as Miss South Africa was over. The beautiful home was valued at R5 million, and for a furnished apartment, the rent was said to be approximately R42,000 each month.
She was also given a Mercedes Benz Convertible, which has a value of R1 million. She took to her social media to celebrate her new home and also the white ride. Tunzi thanked Mercedes for the C-class.
After she won the Miss Universe title, she vacated her seat as Miss South Africa, paving way for Sasha-Lee Laurel Olivier, who was the first runner up, to assume that position. Sasha became the occupant of the luxurious two-bedroom apartment and also got a brand new Mercedes-Benz C200 Cabriolet.
She Got Another House in New York After She Won Miss Universe
The first person to wear the brand new R73-million worth “Power of Unity” crown, Zozibini Tunzi also became the third South African to be crowned Miss Universe after Margaret Gardiner (1978), and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017). After winning the coveted crown in 2019, Zozibini was given keys to the prestigious New York apartment, which was previously occupied by the former Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, as well as Miss USA 2018, Sarah Rose Summers. She now shares the apartment with Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst.
As revealed in the above video, the New York apartment has rooms for the two beauty queens, their separate bathrooms, and a kitchen that is large enough for the two to hang out. The living area is also quite spacious for the two, and then there is a study.
By the time she was set to move in, the tradition is that the previous Miss Universe must have vacated the apartment, and what was previously her bedroom would go to the new Miss Universe. This is the cycle that will continue even after Zozibini.
Zozibini Tunzi Isn’t the First Black Miss Universe
When she was named Miss Universe at the glamorous event held at the Tyler Perry Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, it was historic in more ways than one. First of all, she became part of a historic moment in the world of pageantry when black women clinched the Miss America- Nia Franklin, Miss USA- Cheslie Kryst, and also Miss Teen USA- Kaleigh Garris. This became the first time in history to record that. What made it even more interesting towards the end of the year was that the Miss World was also clinched by another black woman, Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica. This means the top 5 crowns in the pageantry world were clinched by black women for the first time.
Despite that, Zozibini was not the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe. Since the pageantry started in 1952, it was until 1977 that a black woman first wore the crown when Trinidad and Tobago’s Janelle Commissiong wore the crown. The second person to repeat the feat as a black woman was America’s Chelsi Smith, who was crowned in 1995. Only three years after Chelsi and over two decades after Commissiong, another woman from Trinidad and Tobago, Wendy Fitzwilliam, was crowned Miss Universe in 1998.
Mpule Kwelagobe from Botswana took over from Fitzwilliam as the 4th black woman to wear the crown in 1999. Her victory was even more interesting as she was also the first black African to attain such height in Miss Universe Pageantry. Next, it was Angolan beauty, Leila Lopes, that ascended the throne as the fifth black woman to be crowned Miss Universe when she won in 2011.
Since 2011, no black woman emerged victorious at that stage until 2019 when Zozibini Tunzi defeated 90 other women to be named Miss Universe. This made her only the sixth black woman to be crowned and the third black African to do so.
Here’s a list of the five black Miss Universe before Zozibini Tunzi
- Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Chelsi Smith- Miss Universe 1995 (America)
- Wendy Fitzwilliam- Miss Universe 1998 (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Mpule Kwelagobe- Miss Universe 1999 (Botswana)
- Leila Lopes- Miss Universe 2011 (Angola)
Zozibini Tunzi Now Has An Enviable Net Worth
As regards her net worth, Zozibini Tunzi has covered an incredible distance within a very short time. The beauty queen has an estimated net worth of $3 million. She made her fortune from her successes as a beauty queen first in South Africa, and then on the global stage.
A graduate of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology from where she obtained a degree in Public Relations Management, she had a brief working career as a graduate intern in the PR department of Ogilvy Cape Town. She also worked briefly as a model, but it is not known if it yielded anything significant to her finances.
When she became Miss South Africa in 2019, Zozibini also received a car and a chance to represent the country at Miss Universe 2019, which she went on to win. Thanks to her victory at that stage, she got herself prizes that include the aforementioned Luxury accommodations in New York, a salary believed to be $100,000 monthly, and much more.
Here’s a look at some of her prizes as Miss Universe:
- Salary for a year of her reign as Miss Universe ($1.2 million)
- Luxury accommodations in New York City during her reign (all living expenses will be covered)
- A modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographers
- Dermatology and skincare services
- A professional health and nutrition consultation
- Dental services
- Professional representation by The Miss Universe Organization
- Extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners
- Access to various events, including casting opportunities, movie premieres, screenings, Broadway shows, and launch parties.
- Personal appearance wardrobe and styling by the official Miss Universe Organization fashion stylist.
Will She Still Be Rich After Her Tenure as Miss Universe?
By the time her reign as Miss Universe comes to an end, it is expected that Zozibini should still be rich. She will retain some benefits from being Miss Universe. However, the idea of remaining rich is not known since that depends on how she can manage her finances and works.
After her reign, she will have many opportunities in the entertainment world, where many with some talent have delved into after their pageantry careers to become actresses, media personalities, or invest in the fashion and beauty industry.
More so, she may get some sponsorship deals from large and famous brands to feature her in commercials or even speak about their products. Hence, when her career is over, she might still have the chance to keep making money and remain rich.
