Tanzanian-Lebanese model Jihan Mohin Dimack has made history after winning Miss Grand International 2026, becoming the first African woman to claim the international beauty pageant’s crown.
Dimack was crowned on October 10, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, after competing against contestants from around the world. Her victory marked the first time Tanzania and Africa had won the title since the competition was established.
Who is Jihan Dimack?
Dimack, 30, was born on June 17, 1996, and has Tanzanian and Lebanese heritage. She has lived in Tanzania, Lebanon and Mozambique and has worked in China, where she gained experience in modelling, sales and live commerce, according to her official Miss Grand International profile.
Her modelling career began at the age of 17. She says working from a young age taught her independence, discipline and responsibility, while her experiences across different countries helped shape her appreciation for cultural diversity.
Dimack has described herself as Tanzanian by heart and Lebanese by heritage, with a personal commitment to representing her country’s culture and values internationally.
A decade in beauty pageants
Dimack’s latest victory follows years of participation in beauty competitions.
In 2014, she competed in Miss Tanzania, finishing as second runner-up, according to The Citizen.
In 2016, she won Miss Universe Tanzania, earning the opportunity to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition in the Philippines in January 2017. She did not place in the international competition.
Nearly a decade later, she returned to the national pageant circuit and won Miss Grand Tanzania 2026 in August, representing Mwanza. That victory secured her place at Miss Grand International.
The message behind her victory
During the final question-and-answer round at Miss Grand International 2026, Dimack highlighted kindness as an important quality of an empowered woman, citing her mother as an example.
Her message aligned with her stated interest in peace, cultural diversity and women’s empowerment.
On her official pageant profile, Dimack says she wants to use the international platform to showcase Tanzania’s culture, diversity and spirit of unity.
She has also outlined an approach to empowerment that emphasises education, intelligence, entrepreneurship and independence, arguing that women should be equipped to make decisions and create opportunities for themselves and others.
A milestone for Tanzania and Africa
Dimack’s victory places Tanzania in the history of Miss Grand International, a pageant established in 2013 that promotes the message of peace and an end to conflict.
She succeeded the Philippines’ Emma Tiglao, the 2025 titleholder. Ecuador’s Shyare Andrade and the Netherlands’ Beau Megan Goos finished second and third, respectively, according to published results.
For Tanzania, the win follows Dimack’s earlier national titles and international experience. For Africa, it marks the continent’s first victory in the competition.
Dimack now takes on the role of Miss Grand International 2026, with a platform to represent Tanzania internationally and advance the causes she has identified around peace, diversity and women’s empowerment.
