GRETHA MATIAUDA: A POWERFUL VOICE FOR PARAGUAY

Miss Universe Paraguay 2026 is bringing her ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to women’s empowerment to the global stage.

For Gretha Matiauda, the journey to Miss Universe is about more than a crown. It is about carrying the identity, resilience, and aspirations of an entire nation onto one of the world’s most celebrated stages. As Miss Universe Paraguay 2026, the entrepreneur, media personality, and international model is preparing to represent her country at the 75th edition of Miss Universe with a message rooted in national pride and a vision for empowering women.

“Paraguay does not need to be a large country to have a powerful voice,” she says, expressing the philosophy that guides her journey. For Gretha, a nation’s influence is not measured by its size, but by the strength of its people, the richness of its culture, and the determination of those who carry its story forward.

A graduate of Economics from the National University of Asunción, Gretha has built a multifaceted career shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a desire to connect with people. Her professional journey has taken her to international destinations including Milan, Paris, New York, São Paulo, and Cannes. Each experience has expanded her perspective while reinforcing a fundamental belief: success means little if it comes at the expense of one’s identity.

Despite her international exposure, Paraguay remains at the heart of everything she does. She speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian, while Guaraní holds a particularly meaningful place in her life. More than a language, it represents her heritage, history, and connection to home—a cultural legacy she hopes to bring with her onto the Miss Universe stage.

Beyond modeling and media, however, Gretha is committed to creating opportunities for women. Her belief that visibility should lead to meaningful change inspired Las Residentas, an initiative named in honor of the women who helped rebuild Paraguay. Through its focus on education, protection, and financial independence, the project seeks to contribute to a future in which women have greater opportunities to shape their own lives.

She also founded Voces que Sanan (Voices That Heal), a platform designed to create space for stories that deserve to be heard. By encouraging conversations about violence experienced by women, the initiative emphasizes the importance of listening, awareness, and solidarity. For Gretha, advocacy begins with recognizing that every woman deserves to be heard, respected, and supported.

Her entrepreneurial ambitions reflect the same forward-thinking spirit. Through projects in beauty, wellness, and personal care, she aims to develop ideas originating in Paraguay and introduce them to broader markets. It is another way she hopes to demonstrate that talent and innovation can emerge from anywhere and reach the world.

As she prepares for Miss Universe, Gretha approaches the competition as an opportunity to unite her personal ambitions with a greater purpose. She represents a generation of women who understand that international recognition can become a platform for meaningful influence.

Her story is ultimately one of balance: global ambition anchored in local identity, professional success guided by purpose, and personal visibility transformed into opportunities for others.

When Gretha steps onto the Miss Universe stage, she will carry more than the Paraguayan flag. She will carry the stories, aspirations, and potential of Paraguayan women—determined to show the world that a powerful voice can emerge from even the smallest nation, and that its impact can reach far beyond its borders.