The Puteri Indonesia pageant is traditionally held on March (alongside International Women's Day) in Jakarta.[15][16] Candidate selection starts at provincial level, with those chosen from each province set to compete in the national level pageant. Puteri Indonesia Organization is supported by the president and the cabinet.
In 2019, Joko Widodo announced Puteri Indonesia as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia,[17] which carries the values of Indonesian culture and society togetherness, to celebrate the role of women in the creative industry, environment, tourism, education and social awareness.[18]
Final coronation nights of the pageant were originally broadcast on Indosiar (except for 2007), however, Puteri Indonesia 2019 and the consecutive editions are broadcast on SCTV, making the television networks owned by Surya Citra Media (SCM) as the official broadcasters of Puteri Indonesia.[19]
In February 2023, Puteri Indonesia Organization lost its Miss Universe license and received its Miss Charm license.[20][21]
Since 2024, all four titleholders of Puteri Indonesia competition are no longer competing in a fixed international beauty pageant based on their placement and instead competing in one of four pageants (Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Charm, and Miss Cosmo) that is decided by the Puteri Indonesia organization for each titleholder after the competition ends, regardless of the pageant's result.
These are the awards most frequently presented at Puteri Indonesia each year:
CURRENT
Puteri Indonesia Persahabatan (Miss Congeniality) (1992–present)[34]
Puteri Indonesia Berbakat (Miss Talent) (1992–present)[35]
Puteri Indonesia Intelegensia (Miss Intelligence – all of three winners of Puteri Indonesia Intelegensia will receive the master degree full scholarship programs) (1995–present)[36][37]
Best Traditional Costume (2002, 2015–present)
Best Evening Gown (2018–present)
Puteri Indonesia Digital & Sosial Media (People's Choice Award – voting through Puteri Indonesia Website and Social Media) (2020–present)
Puteri Indonesia Kepulauan (Favorite Island's Princesses) (2007–present)
The winner of Puteri Indonesia pageant is crowned as Puteri Indonesia (Princess of Indonesia). Until 2022, it was established that the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia was to be sent to the Miss Universe pageant. Starting 2024, the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia will compete in an international beauty pageant that is decided by the Puteri Indonesia organization after the competition ends. The options include Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Charm, and Miss Cosmo.
aIndira Paramarini Sudiro won Miss ASEAN 1991 before winning Puteri Indonesia 1992. Indira Sudiro joined Miss Universe 1993, but a few days before the final night she was withdrawn because her participation became controversial in Indonesia.
cAlya Rohali was the first Puteri Indonesia who reigned her title for four years.
d Recently, Angelina Sondakh wasn't listed in Puteri Indonesia website and her title was revoked due to her corruption scandal which caused her to punished for 12 years in prison.[51]
eDian Krishna Nawawi was competed at the Mrs. World 2012 but she failed to enter in semi-finalist. She previously registered then withdrew at the Miss Universe 2004 after failing support from the government.[52]
The first runner-up of Puteri Indonesia competition is crowned as Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan (Environmental Princess of Indonesia). Until 2022, it was established that the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan was to be sent to Miss International pageant. Starting 2024, the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan will compete in an international beauty pageant that is decided by the Puteri Indonesia organization after the competition ends.
The second runner-up of Puteri Indonesia competition is crowned as Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata (Tourism Princess of Indonesia). Until 2022, it was established that the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata was to be sent to Miss Supranational pageant. Starting 2024, the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata will compete in an international beauty pageant that is decided by the Puteri Indonesia organization after the competition ends.
aAlessandra Usman was renamed as the 1st Runner-up of Miss Asia Pacific World 2011 after the pageant did controversy with the grand winner. Usman was originally crowned as the 3rd Runner-up.
b The quarter finalist on the final show was Top 20. The official results were revealed after Final Show on Miss Supranational website, Gresya Amanda Maaliwuga was in the Top 30 (Ranked on 24th).
The third runner-up of Puteri Indonesia competition was crowned as Puteri Indonesia Perdamaian (Peace Princess of Indonesia) before it was renamed as Puteri Indonesia Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Education and Culture Princess of Indonesia) in 2024. The titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Perdamaian was sent to Miss Grand International pageant in 2016 and 2017. Starting 2024, the titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan will compete in an international beauty pageant that is decided by the Puteri Indonesia organization after the competition ends.
Before Puteri Indonesia under PT Mustika Ratu Tbk., the Indonesia's representations were crowned by national pageants called Ratu Indonesia, Miss Indonesia, and Miss Jawa. Andy Nurhayati who owned Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta was the key person who took the franchise for Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, Miss Asia Pacific, etc. in Indonesia. Began 1980s, the selection held in closed selection by her, since there was banning system from the government about beauty pageants.
Miss Jawa(Java): This beauty contest also took over the Miss International license at the start of Miss International's debut from Oscar J. Meinhardt in the United States.
Miss Indonesia: The first edition was held in 1969 where since 1970 there was no Miss Indonesia program, until 2005 Mrs. Liliana Tanoesoedibjo held the Miss Indonesia election for the first time in the modern era.
Ratu Indonesia: This beauty event was first held in 1971 and transformed into Puteri Indonesia in the 4th year of implementation, 1975. It had a hiatus for 1 year in 1974 and was officially closed in 1978. During the program there were 3 main titles at Puteri Indonesia in that time: Puteri Indonesia as the Main Winner, Puteri Duta Indonesia as the 1st Runner-up, and Puteri Pariwisata Indonesia as the 2nd Runner-up. In 1992, Mrs. Mooryati Soedibyo began developing the Puteri Indonesia program and officially holds the license for Miss Universe and several other licenses.
Closed Selection: Andy Nurhayati, as the owner of the Miss Universe license and various world beauty pageants, began trying to carry out a closed selection program to send representatives to several beauty pageants such as Miss Universe. This is done through casting and around 5 winners are selected between 1978 and 1983.
After winning Mojang Bandung 1973, in 1974 Nia was designated as Miss Universe Indonesia 1974 by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia). She also received the award from Indonesian World Records Museum as the Beauty Pioneer who competed in Miss Universe competition. Nia competed at Ratu Indonesia 1973, represented Jawa Barat at the pageant and won Miss Congeniality award.
The Ratu Indonesia 1973 — winner who also represented Indonesia at Miss Asia Pacific 1974, Queen of the Pacific 1974, and Miss International 1974 before competing at Miss Universe 1975. Lydia also was designated as Miss Universe Indonesia 1974 by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia), since in 1975 there was no specific contest to Miss Universe.
Juliarti was the youngest Indonesia's queen who competed at Miss Universe in the 16 years of age. In that moment she was a model who selected as the main title Puteri Indonesia 1976 for Miss Universe.
Best National Costume (Top 20) resumed by pageantopolis pageant media website
Winning Puteri Indonesia 1977, Siti was designated as Miss Universe Indonesia 1977 by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia).
Puteri Pariwisata Indonesia 1977 (2nd Runner-up at Puteri Indonesia 1977)
Unplaced
Swimsuit Score (57th) recorded by Miss Universe Incorporation LIVE program
There was no Puteri Indonesia contest, Nana was designated by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia). She was placed as the 2nd Runner-up or in that moment called Puteri Pariwisata Pariwisata 1977 at Puteri Indonesia pageant.
After winning Gadis Teladan 1981 title nationally, Rosje Soeratman was designated as Miss Universe Indonesia 1981 but her trip to Miami, Florida, USA did not successfully run well. Her visa did not approve and another way she was reported she was being a victim of an accident.[citation needed]
Swimsuit Score (71st) recorded by Miss Universe Incorporation LIVE program
In 1982, there are 5 winners who scheduled to represent Indonesia at international pageants. Sri was the main winner who represented Indonesia at Miss Universe 1982. She titled as Miss Universe Indonesia 1982, together with other titleholders.
In 1982, Andi was one the 5 winners at Miss Indonesia 1982, as Miss World Indonesia. She competed at Miss World 1982 and was designated as Miss Universe Indonesia 1983 by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia).
In 1982, Andi was one the 5 winners at Miss Indonesia 1982, titled Miss World Indonesia. She also was appointed by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta to compete at Miss Universe 1983, a year later after Miss World competition in London, England, Great Britain.
In 1983 Titi was designated by Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia) as Miss World Indonesia 1983. She flied internationally with Andi Botenri who also competed at Miss Universe in the same year.
Miss Jawa 1960 ― There was no specific contest for Miss International beauty pageant, since in 1960 Miss International was held for the first time by Oscar J. Meinhardt in the United States.
In 1967 an entrepreneur, Simon Petrus Goni approached the government to manage the first Miss Indonesia contest. In that year he planned to send the main winner to Miss International beauty pageant. But Sylvia was designated to compete at Miss International 1968, a year after approaching segment to the government.
Irma was the First Miss Indonesia ― winner in history. She won at Hotel Indonesia and was sent to Miss International 1969 and also, Miss Asia Pacific 1970 by Miss Indonesia team in 1969.
Irma was the First Miss Indonesia ― winner in history. She competed at Miss International 1969 and also, Miss Asia Pacific 1970 by Miss Indonesia team in 1969.
Ike was appointed as Miss Asia Pacific Indonesia 1972. She was unplaced at Ratu Indonesia 1971 and she represented Jawa Barat, also Top 5 at Miss Congeniality award.
Linda represented Jakarta at Puteri Indonesia 1977 but she unplaced. She was appointed as Miss Asia Pacific Indonesia 1977, and she won the title and became the 3rd Indonesia's Queen who won international pageant after Irene Rebeca and Francisca Warastuti, Queen of the Pacific in 1973 and 1975.
In 1982, Andi was one the 5 winners at Miss Indonesia 1982. She competed at Miss World 1982, Miss Universe 1983, and finally Miss Asia Pacific 1982 under Andi Beauty Institute Jakarta (as the national holder for Indonesia) directorship.
The last Puteri Indonesia who competed at the Queen of the Pacific competition. Francisca is the Second Indonesia's Queen who won international pageant.