Marina Machete

Biography

Marina Machete Reis (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐˈɾinɐ mɐˈʃetɨ]; born 1 October 1995) is a Portuguese model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Portugal 2023. She is the first Portuguese openly transgender woman to participate in the Miss Universe contest. She represented Portugal at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador and finished as a Top 20 semifinalist, becoming the first openly trans woman to place. She is the third openly trans woman to compete in Miss Universe in 2023 after Rikkie Kollé of Netherlands and Angela Ponce of Spain. She also won the Most Confident Award at the competition.

== Background ==

=== Early life === Marina Machete Reis was born on October 1, 1995, in Palmela, Portugal, a town in the Lisbon Region and Setúbal District, approximately 25 kilometers south of Lisbon. Her early life was marked by a passion for fashion, beauty, and self-expression, which would later become the foundation of her successful modeling career. She was assigned male at birth before undergoing gender reassignment. As a result of being an openly transgender woman, she experienced a lot of backlashes and severe critics on Portuguese media after being crowned as Miss Universe Portugal. Machete posted to her Instagram account over the weekend after winning the contest, “to all of you watching, I just want to say that, just like the universe, your possibilities in life are limitless...so don’t limit yourself to any dream that you have.” She is the devout advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity. She has spoken publicly about the challenges and triumphs she has faced as a trans woman, and her personal story has resonated with many. Machete continues to inspire others with her courage, resilience, and determination.

=== Education === Although there is no available information on her specific educational background, it is likely that Machete completed her primary and secondary education in Palmela or nearby Lisbon. Her education provided her with a solid foundation in languages, arts, and culture, which she has leveraged in her modeling and pageantry career.

== Career ==

=== Modeling === Machete has experience modeling for various fashion brands and has appeared in editorial spreads, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and themes. Her modeling career has been a remarkable journey, marked by numerous achievements and milestones. She began her modeling career in 2018, shortly after being crowned Miss Universe Portugal. Her first modeling gig was with a local fashion brand in Portugal, where she appeared in a campaign showcasing the brand's summer collection. Since then, Machete has worked with various fashion brands, appearing in editorials, campaigns, and runway shows. Her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and themes have made her a sought-after model in the industry. She has modeled for both high-end and commercial brands, showcasing her range and ability to work with diverse clients. Some of her notable modeling achievements include appearing on the cover of Portuguese Vogue, walking the runway for top designers during Lisbon Fashion Week, featuring in campaigns for international brands such as L'Oréal and Maybelline, as well as gracing the pages of top fashion magazines such as Elle and Harper's Bazaar. Machete's modeling career has taken her to various destinations around the world, including New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. She has experienced different cultures and worked with diverse teams, expanding her knowledge and skills in the process.

=== Flight attendant === Prior to modeling, Machete worked as a flight attendant in 2018.

=== Public speaking === As the beauty pageant titleholder and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Machete has developed public speaking skills, able to articulate her thoughts and opinions. Thus, she is reported to be fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English.