Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born on January 8, 2001, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her father, Michael Adetshina, is a Nigerian of Igbo heritage, while her mother, Anabella Carlos Runga, was born in Mozambique and raised in South Africa. Chidimma spent her early years in Soweto before her family moved to Cape Town, where she grew up. She attended Hoërskool Bosmansdam High School and later studied Law at Varsity College. She also developed an interest in sports, particularly netball, while growing up.

Journey Into Pageantry

Chidimma Adetshina began her pageantry journey with a strong interest in beauty and modelling. She first entered the Miss South Africa competition in 2022, gaining valuable experience before returning in 2024. She advanced to the Top 16, but her participation later became controversial due to questions surrounding her South African citizenship and Nigerian heritage. She eventually withdrew from the competition and accepted the opportunity to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, representing Taraba State.

On August 31, 2024, Chidimma was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, earning the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the international competition in Mexico. At Miss Universe 2024, she finished as first runner up and was also named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, making her one of the most successful Nigerian contestants in the pageant’s history.

Relationship

Chidimma Adetshina was previously married and finalised her divorce in February 2024. She explained that the marriage ended because they had different views about what a married African woman’s role should be. She wanted to maintain her independence and did not agree with expectations that would require her to focus solely on staying at home, cooking and cleaning.

Chidimma is also a mother of one, having welcomed her son before her marriage. She has spoken about how becoming a mother has brought her joy, especially as she continues to take new steps in her life and career. Her parents have also been supportive of her journey as a mother and as a young woman building her own path.

Networth

Chidimma Adetshina’s net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million, with her income coming from her pageantry career, modelling, brand endorsements, appearances and other opportunities that have followed her international recognition.

Controversies

Chidimma Adetshina became the centre of controversy in 2024 when she advanced in the Miss South Africa competition. Some South Africans questioned whether she should represent the country because of her Nigerian father and her family background, leading to intense criticism and xenophobic abuse online. The situation became more serious when South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs began investigating her citizenship after concerns were raised about her mother’s identity documents. The department said there were prima facie indications of fraud and identity theft involving the person recorded as her mother, while also making clear that Chidimma herself was not implicated because she was an infant at the time.

Amid the controversy and concerns for her family’s safety, Chidimma withdrew from Miss South Africa in August 2024. She later accepted the opportunity to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, which she won, and went on to finish as first runner up at Miss Universe 2024. The citizenship controversy, however, did not completely disappear. In 2026, South African authorities began deportation proceedings against her, with Chidimma challenging the move in court and maintaining that South Africa is the only home she has known.