Oldest-ever Miss USA contestant, 72, shares her secrets to keeping fit and healthy as she details her diet, skincare and exercise routines

A woman who made history as a septuagenarian contender for the Miss USA title has shared the diet, beauty and exercise regimens that have kept her competition ready.

Marissa Teijo, 72, competed in Miss Texas USA in 2024, representing her home district as Miss Paso del Norte.

While she didn't win the state's title, she still made history as the oldest person to compete in any level of the Miss USA pageant series. 

Now, she's opened up to People about her strict regimens.

Prior to embarking on a career in pageantry, Marissa was an elementary school teacher for 38 years. 

Marissa Teijo, 72, competed in Miss Texas USA in 2024, representing her home district as Miss Paso del Norte, becoming the oldest person to compete at any level in the Miss USA pageant

The former elementary school teacher got really into weightlifting when she hit 40, and afterward began competing in bodybuilding contests

After retiring to take care of her mother, she did ballroom dancing and also volunteered for her local Junior League, and briefly did substitute teaching before re-retiring for good.

It was around her 40th birthday that he began weightlifting for five to six days per week, and started competing in local bodybuilding contests not long after.

'I was always a runner, and I would do step aerobics classes,' she told People.

'But when I started weightlifting, that's when my body evolution started. 

'Weightlifting will give you the best shape; it looked like I had a very small waist, because you gain muscles in your upper body, so you get that hourglass look.'

She emphasized that she was 'very active' and advised others to keep pushing themselves physically as they age. 

'And that's one of the things that I would highly recommend to anybody: Just don't stop. Because no matter how old you are, you can still move. And if you keep on moving, you'll be able to move the older you get,' she said. 

She emphasized that she stayed 'very active' and advised others to keep pushing themselves physically as they age

As for her diet, the foods she consumes are 'clean and healthy,' with her overall meals incorporating generous amounts of fruits and vegetables

Her typical diet consisted of foods that were 'clean and healthy,' she said. 

'My nutrition is mostly a lot of vegetables and a lot of fruits, oatmeal. I do eat meat. I eat chicken, fish every once in a while,' she said.

'I love steak because my husband is from Argentina, so he loves that.

'I don't eat cheeses. I don't eat processed meats. I do not eat white bread; I only drink non-dairy milk.'

While she was training for the pageant, she would eat a lot of sweet potato with jasmine or brown rice and oatmeal on her training days.

Beyond that, her meals consisted of  'lots and lots of vegetables and fruits' while she also totally cut out foods with added sugar. 

For days when she wasn't planning to hit the gym, she wouldn't eat any carbs, instead focusing on 'protein, fruits and almonds.'

'I did that for about two and a half months; I don't recommend that long term,' she clarified. 

She admitted that, while she didn't consider herself 'beautiful,' she worked on 'having confidence in yourself no matter how you look or what your shape is'

As for her skincare regimen, Marissa uses a 'skin therapy oil' in the morning after washing her face, and then puts on sunscreen.

She puts on makeup if she's going out, which also contains SPF. 

At night, she washes her face with a 'gentle cleanser' and then puts on more oil and moisturizing cream. 

Reflecting on competing in the pageant, she recalled: 'I got so many cheers.'

For now, she's focused on building her brand on Instagram and beyond, and hopes to get sponsored by gyms and brands used by older women. 

She admitted that, while she didn't consider herself 'beautiful,' she worked on 'having confidence in yourself no matter how you look or what your shape is.'

She added: 'Beauty to me, is just being really, really happy. And I think being happy, exuding joy and being kind to people, brings out energy and beauty in you, so people are drawn to you.'