Iris Mittenaere

Iris Mittenaere is a French television host, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who became the second Frenchwoman to win Miss Universe, taking the crown in 2016. Her win in Manila ended a 63-year drought for France, following Christiane Martel's victory in 1953. As of 2026, she continues to work across French television and modeling, building a career that extends well beyond her pageant roots.

Mittenaere's public identity blends glamour with a grounded, academic background. She was studying dental surgery when she entered the pageant world, a detail that has always set her apart from other titleholders. Her warmth and approachability have made her a relatable figure in France, where she remains a familiar face on screens and at public events. [edit]

Iris Mittenaere grew up in Steenvoorde, a small town in northern France, after her parents divorced when she was three. Raised primarily by her mother, Laurence Druart, a primary school teacher and museum guide, she attended local schools and showed early academic promise. In 2011, she finished high school with strong grades, focusing on science.

She moved to Lille to study dentistry at Lille 2 University of Health and Law, pursuing a path toward becoming a dental surgeon. By the time she entered her first pageant, she was in her fifth year of dental surgery studies, balancing demanding coursework with the early stages of her pageant career. Her academic discipline and resilience during this period became a defining part of her story. [edit]

Mittenaere's pageant ascent began with local titles: Miss Flandre in 2015 and Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais later that year. In December 2015, she won Miss France 2016, representing her home region. The victory qualified her for Miss Universe 2016, held in Manila, where she beat 85 contestants to claim the crown on January 30, 2017. Her win made her the second Frenchwoman to hold the title and a national hero overnight.

After her year-long reign, she transitioned into French entertainment. She has hosted and presented on various television programs, appeared in reality shows, and continued modeling. On November 7, 2018, she published her autobiography, Toujours y croire, released by HarperCollins, and launched a book tour across France, Belgium, and Switzerland. In the years since, she has maintained a steady presence in French media, taking on hosting roles and brand partnerships. [edit]

Mittenaere's public image is that of an intelligent, down-to-earth beauty queen who never lost touch with her northern French roots. Her dentistry background gives her a unique profile among pageant winners, often highlighted in interviews and profiles. She presents herself as approachable and warm, sharing cooking videos, travel photos, and lifestyle content on social media.

Her style blends elegance with simplicity, and she speaks openly about self-confidence and perseverance, themes that resonate with her followers. While she doesn't have a widely recognized fandom name, her French fan base remains active and loyal, engaging with her content and supporting her television work. [edit]

Iris Mittenaere's audience is defined not by a singular, organized legion but by the enduring loyalty of pageant enthusiasts and those who followed her unique transition from dental student to global icon. Unlike pop stars with dedicated clubs, her supporters are spread across general beauty communities and French television viewers, united by the historic narrative of her 2016 victory that ended a sixty-three-year drought for France in the Miss Universe competition. Fans often retell the story of her crowning moment in Manila as the central pillar of her legacy, celebrating her grounded personality and academic background rather than engaging in ritualistic campaigns or fan-funded projects. Her social media presence serves as the primary gathering point, where she shares lifestyle content and cooking videos that resonate with a broad, international following without the need for formalized fan structures. While she has participated in high-profile tours and appearances, including visits to the Philippines alongside her successor, these events draw crowds typical of major pageant alumni rather than generating the street-shutdown hysteria seen with music superstars. The cultural mythology surrounding her remains firmly rooted in her status as a successful titleholder who balanced glamour with an approachable, down-to-earth demeanor. iFANN has evaluated her current standing globally and found no placement in the published rankings. Iris Mittenaere is currently the EVALUATED_UNRANKED person in the world according to the Global Top 1,000 list.[edit]

Mittenaere entered the pageant world while in her fifth year of dental surgery, a detail that distinguishes her from most titleholders and gave her a unique profile among beauty queens. She enjoys cooking and once filmed a session with renowned French chef Frédéric Anton. Her autobiography carries the title 'Always Believe in Yourself,' reflecting her personal philosophy. She comes from a blended family and has a younger half-sister named Manon. Beyond her official duties, fans often recall her elegant farewell walk at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, where she wore a stunning Michael Cinco gown as she handed over the crown. This moment is frequently cited as the graceful conclusion to her reign. Another enduring piece of lore involves her candid discussions about debunking the myth of effortless 'French girl style,' clarifying to the public that such aesthetics are often carefully manufactured. These stories highlight her role not just as a figurehead, but as someone willing to share practical insights on fitness, diet, and confidence while maintaining her connection to her northern French roots.[edit]

Mittenaere's parents, Yves Mittenaere and Laurence Druart, divorced when she was three. She was raised mainly by her mother in Steenvoorde, with her father, a history and geography teacher, remaining involved. She has a brother named Baptiste and a sister named Cassandre, as well as a younger half-sister, Manon. As of the latest reports, she is not married and has no children. [edit]

Mittenaere is often associated with Christiane Martel, the first French Miss Universe, whom she followed 63 years later. She has worked with French chef Frédéric Anton during a cooking segment. Her family, including her parents and siblings, have been supportive figures in her public life. [edit]

Mittenaere's dating history has been a subject of public interest in France. She was briefly linked to TV host Matthieu Delormeau in 2016, though it was widely seen as a friendship. She then dated model Dylan Thiry around 2016–2017, a relationship that ended amicably. From 2017 to 2019, she was with businessman Diego El Glaoui, and from 2019 to 2020, she dated comedian Kev Adams. As of 2026, she is reportedly single. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Iris Mittenaere's net worth stands at $3 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects her diversified earnings from television hosting roles, modeling contracts, brand endorsements, book royalties, and paid public appearances. Her autobiography contributed significantly to her income stream, and she continues to secure prominent hosting positions on French programs. While exact financial figures remain difficult to verify publicly, her career trajectory suggests steady growth since her historic Miss Universe win.[edit]

Mittenaere's career is defined by her pageant victories, most notably winning Miss Universe 2016 and Miss France 2016. These titles brought her international recognition and opened doors in television and modeling. She has not accumulated industry awards in acting or music, as her focus has been on hosting and public appearances. [edit]