Who Is Olivia Yacé? Facts on Miss Universe Côte d'Ivoire 2025
Finishing as fourth runner-up at Miss Universe 2025, Olivia has captured the hearts of many pageant fans around the world.
by Em Enriquez
Published on Nov 27, 2025
In the wake of a rather controversial Miss Universe season, certain names have gained significant popularity despite not winning a crown. With her much-debated placement as a runner-up, Olivia Yacé of Côte d'Ivoire proves to be one of this recent edition's scene-stealers. After she relinquished her post as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, she continues to make waves among pageantologists everywhere.
Ahead, pick up some notable facts on the Ivorian beauty.
Who Is Miss Côte d'Ivoire Olivia Yacé?
Olivia belongs to Gen Z.
Olivia was born on January 8, 1998 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The eldest of four siblings, the 26-year-old is the daughter of Jean Marc Yacé, a navy officer and politician who happens to be their home country's honorary consul of Mexico.
Olivia studied management and marketing abroad.
Olivia came of age flying between Côte d'Ivoire and different states to pursue her education. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management from Widener University in Pennsylvania, USA, before she pursued further studies in Luxury Brand Management and Event Planning at the Richmond American University in London. It's reported that event management has been a passion of hers since 2016.
Olivia started modeling at 13 years old.
While studying in the States, Olivia picked up modeling after her peers and family saw her potential. The then 13-year-old attended the John Casablancas Modeling School, which opened her to possibly being signed with Elite Models New York. However, she instead chose to make attempts into pageantry and returned to her home country.
Speaking of the experience, she narrates that: "I [participated] in many fashion shows with great fashion designers in Africa. I also had the chance to walk the runway in Europe. All of these experiences surely helped me to be more comfortable when I decided to embark on the adventure of Miss Côte d’Ivoire."
Prior to the world (or the universe, rather) knowing her name, Olivia had modeled for numerous African and global brands—one of them being Leo Almodal, a Filipino designer who has shown his avant garde creations at Paris Fashion Week.
Olivia was a Miss World title-holder before joining Miss Universe.
Olivia's first foray into the pageant world took place in 2021 when she won Miss Côte d'Ivoire. She first competed in Miss World 2021, where she arose as 2nd runner-up and was appointed as Miss World Africa. Come July of this year, she was once again crowned as her country's representative and was sent to Miss Universe 2025.
During the final question-and-answer segment, she expressed her wanting to be a "face of representation" for young girls of different cultures. "I want to be the face of a new era, of women that are bold, that are leaders, that are unapologetic about who they are," she continued.
Throughout her campaign for the crown, she was guided by principle of assuming one's identity, which she echoed in her last words on stage. "Go in those rooms where you think you don't belong, shine, and make sure you assume your identity," she declared.
Olivia established her own humanitarian foundation.
Even before her pageant days, Olivia has had strong ties to her advocacies of women's health, education, and the fight against inequalities. She's since launched her namesake foundation in order to amplify these causes. Aside from these, she also works as a tourism ambassador for Côte d'Ivoire.
Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.