From Miss Universe to motherhood: Where is South African expat Demi-Leigh Tebow now?
Former Miss Universe and South African expat Demi-Leigh Tebow continues to inspire – balancing motherhood, faith and loss while staying proudly South African at heart.
Every so often, a South African woman captures the world’s attention – not just with beauty, but with purpose.
South African expat Demi-Leigh Tebow is one of them.
Her story has always fascinated me: a small-town girl whose confidence carried her onto global stages, yet who continues to live with humility, grace and an open heart.
From Sedgefield to the Universe
Born in Sedgefield, a small coastal town along the Garden Route, she grew up with her feet firmly in South African soil but her dreams reaching far beyond.
When she won Miss South Africa 2017, the country immediately took notice – and later that year, when she was crowned Miss Universe, the world did too.
I remember watching her win that night; her poise, faith and quiet strength made every South African proud.
Finding Love and a New Home
Life after Miss Universe took Demi-Leigh far from home but closer to her purpose.
In 2020, she married Tim Tebow, the American athlete and philanthropist known for his faith and humanitarian work.
The two married in 2020 in a romantic ceremony at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek and now lives in the United States, where they’ve built a life centred on faith, charity, and family.
Demi-Leigh now uses her platform for motivational speaking and women’s empowerment, drawing from her own experiences to inspire resilience and purpose.
A New Chapter: Motherhood and Loss
In July 2025, the couple welcomed their first child – a beautiful baby girl named Daphne Reign Tebow.
Her name, meaning “victory and strength,” couldn’t be more fitting.
But alongside this joy came heartbreak: Demi-Leigh also recently lost her beloved father, Bennie Nel, after his long battle with cancer.
Having lost my own dad to cancer in 2021, her story struck a deep chord with me. I know that particular kind of pain – the hollow silence that follows a loss so profound.
Watching Demi-Leigh Tebow navigate her grief so openly and with such grace reminded me how loss reshapes us and how there’s something profoundly humbling about life’s timing – how grief and gratitude can coexist.
Still the Same at Heart
Today, Demi-Leigh Tebow continues to blend glamour with groundedness.
Between motivational speaking, philanthropy and her new role as a mom, she remains that same genuine, faith-driven woman who once walked the Miss Universe stage draped in the South African flag.
Her story feels like a full circle – from Sedgefield to the world, from daughter to mother.
She continues to remind us that true beauty lies not in perfection, but in resilience, empathy and purpose.