Madison Marsh | |
|---|---|
 Marsh in 2023 | |
| Born | Madison Isabella Marsh August 2, 2001 Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Education | United States Air Force Academy (BS) Harvard Kennedy School |
| Known for | Miss America 2024 |
| Title | Miss Academy 2023 Miss Colorado 2023 Miss America 2024 |
| Term | January 14, 2024 – |
| Predecessor | Grace Stanke |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 2023–present |
| Rank |  Second lieutenant |
Madison Isabella Marsh (born August 2, 2001)[1] is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America 2024. Marsh was previously crowned Miss Colorado 2023, and was both the fourth woman representing Colorado and first member of the United States Armed Forces to win Miss America. Marsh is an officer (second lieutenant) in the United States Air Force. [2]
Marsh was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to parents Mike and Whitney Marsh, and is one of five siblings.[3][4][5][6] Her father is a physician, while her mother was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).[3] Her mother died of pancreatic cancer when Marsh was 17 years old, leading Marsh to become an activist for pancreatic cancer awareness and prevention.[5][4] She founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation in her mother's honor in 2019, which raises funds for cancer research.[5][7]
Marsh attended Southside High School, and graduated in 2019.[4] As a child and teenager, she participated in space camps and flying lessons, receiving her pilot license at age 16.[8] This led her to enroll in the United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado, graduating with a degree in astrophysics in 2023.[4] Upon her graduation, Marsh became a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.[7] Marsh later enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School to pursue a Master of Public Policy.[9]
In 2023, Marsh was crowned Miss Academy 2023, a pageant for women attending the United States Air Force Academy.[5] As Miss Academy, she was eligible for the Miss Colorado 2023 pageant, which she went on to win in May 2023.[10][11][12] This was her third attempt at competing for the Miss Colorado title.[12] As Miss Colorado, Marsh became the first Miss America contestant to be an active-duty military officer.[5]
As Miss Colorado, Marsh was selected to represent Colorado at the Miss America 2024 pageant. Miss America 2024 was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida on January 14, 2024.[13][14] In the pageant, Marsh advanced into the Top 11 and later the Top 5, ultimately being crowned the winner, besting first runner-up Ellie Breaux of Texas.[15][16][17] As Miss America 2024, Marsh became the fourth woman representing Colorado to win the pageant, and the first member of the United States Armed Forces to be crowned the winner.[8][18][19] As part of her prize package, Marsh received a $50,000 scholarship to further her education.[20]
Marsh has a black belt in taekwondo.[21]