Miss Universe 1996 was the 45th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on 17 May 1996. This was the last time that the Miss Universe was run by ITT Corp. Alicia Machado of Venezuela was crowned by Chelsi Smith from the United States at the end of the event. 79 contestants competed in this edition. This is the second time that Las Vegas to host Miss Universe since 1991. She is the fourth Venezuelan woman to win Miss Universe following Maritza Sayalero in 1979, Irene Sáez in 1981, and Barbara Palacios in 1986.

Background

Selection of participants

Contestants from 79 countries and territories competed in this year.

Results

Placements

Contestants

Seventy-nine contestants competed for the title.