The Dutch model, Rikkie Valeria Kollé has made history by becoming the first model after being proclaimed as Miss Netherlands.
With the triumph obtained at the national level, Kollé, only 22 years old, will have the opportunity to compete at the end of the year in El Salavdor, in the most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe, together with the other winning models in their respective countries. .
In the pageant that was held in Leusden (Netherlands) this Saturday, Rikkie Valeria Kollé won first place in a very exciting and emotional ceremony, which included Ona Moody, the last Miss Netherlands, and the American R’Bonney Gabriel, the current Miss Universe, as masters of ceremonies and who ultimately crowned Kollé.
“I am so proud and happy that I cannot describe it. I made my community proud and have shown that it can be done. And yes, I am a trans woman and I would like to share my story, but I am also Rikkie and that is what counts for me. I did this with my own strength and I enjoyed every moment,” Kollé expressed on Instagram.
Always with the unconditional support of her family and friends, Rikkie began her gender change at the age of 8 and at 11 she already identified as a woman.
At 16, she began hormonal treatment to adapt her body to her identity and this year, she finally underwent sex reassignment surgery.
“I feel like I was born in the wrong body. I was born little Rik, but I always knew that I wanted to be the big Rikkie. The transition from man to woman gave me a feeling of belonging and authenticity, ”explained the model on her social networks.
