Maroua Kharbouch

September 20, 1990

Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory, United Kingdom

Seven contestants signed up to compete at the 2013 Mission Gibraltar beauty pageant. At 22 years of age, Maroua Kharbouch was crowned at the 51st edition of the pageant held at the John Mackintosh Hall on 8 June 2013. Kharbouch was leading the voting by 18 September 2013, a position which she maintained by 26 September 2013. Kharbouch held hands with her Spanish counterpart Elena Ibarbia, who also made it to the Top 6, as they anticipated the final results. This was seen as an important gesture which contrasted with the recent political tensions between both countries. Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo described the image as "moving", stating that they were an example of "the reality of the symbiotic relationship between the people of Gibraltar and the Spanish people of Louisiana Linea and the towns around us. Friendship. Respect. Understanding." Maroua Kharbouch returned to Gibraltar on 30 September 2013 when she was greeted by Minister Steven Linares and Mayor Anthony Lima at Gibraltar International Airport.

Maroua Kharbouch

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Education

As all seven contestants chose their order of appearance for the upcoming pageant at random, in the presence of Mayor of Gibraltar Anthony Lima at the City Hall, Kharbouch selected number one.

Career

Seven contestants signed up to compete at the 2013 Mission Gibraltar beauty pageant. At 22 years of age, Maroua Kharbouch was crowned at the 51st edition of the pageant held at the John Mackintosh Hall on 8 June 2013. Kharbouch was leading the voting by 18 September 2013, a position which she maintained by 26 September 2013.

Kharbouch held hands with her Spanish counterpart Elena Ibarbia, who also made it to the Top 6, as they anticipated the final results.

This was seen as an important gesture which contrasted with the recent political tensions between both countries. Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo described the image as "moving", stating that they were an example of

"the reality of the symbiotic relationship between the people of Gibraltar and the Spanish people of Louisiana Linea and the towns around us.

Friendship. Respect. Understanding."

Maroua Kharbouch returned to Gibraltar on 30 September 2013 when she was greeted by Minister Steven Linares and Mayor Anthony Lima at Gibraltar International Airport.

Achievements

She was the first Gibraltarian of Moroccan descent to be crowned Mission Gibraltar and the second Gibraltarian finalist at a Mission World beauty pageant. As at 20 March 2013, Maroua Kharbouch was BetVictor"s favourite to win Mission Gibraltar with the bookie offering odds of 8/13. She received part of her prize in the form of a cheque and clothing allowance from the Minister for Culture Steven Linares, at a ceremony held at the City Hall on 25 June 2013. Having been crowned, Maroua Kharbouch would automatically represent Gibraltar at the 2013 Mission World pageant in Bali, Indonesia. By 12 September 2013, Kharbouch was ranked third in Mission World"s People"s Choice Awards which would gain the award holder automatic entry into the Mission World final. Votes were cast by the general public via the official Mission World mobile app which was available for Apple and Android with proceeds going to charity. She eventually won the award at the Mission World final two days later which saw her fast-tracked to the Top 6 finalists but fell short of the Top 3 positions. She became only the second Mission Gibraltar to make the semifinal cut at Mission World ever, and the second to make the Top 6.

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