Li Minhua, 32, was crowned Mrs Singapore Universe 2019 on May 11.

She will represent Singapore at Mrs Universe 2019 in Guangzhou at the end of the year.

Early labour

However, Li, a mother of two, told The Straits Times that she didn't join the competition for its glamour.

Instead, she wanted a platform to "connect with other women".

Between having her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son, Li suffered a miscarriage.

She went into labour when she was only 17 weeks pregnant — 23 weeks away from full term.

Li delivered the foetus after 30 hours of labour, ST reports.

However, the child was too young to survive outside the womb.

Later, she cremated her child, wrapped in only bed linen as it was too small to wear ready-made clothes.

After her miscarriage, Li began volunteering at Angel Hearts, where they upcycle clothing to make outfits for babies who have passed away.

Joining Mrs Singapore Universe enabled her to share her story with other women, especially those who have no avenue to talk about their miscarriages.

After Li posted her experience on social media, other women came up to her and thanked her for it.

Boosting her confidence

In another post on May 13, Li also said that she joined Mrs Singapore 2019 to boost her confidence.

She was compelled to do something when her daughter came home one day after being bullied by a classmate.

"I knew I was lacking in this aspect but I chose to ignore it, until I saw the younger me in my daughter — the soft spoken girl who couldn't speak up for herself when her classmate said she's not pretty."

Through the pageant, Li hopes to inspire her daughter, and even other little girls, to be more confident.

The contestant had faced a "tedious but rewarding journey", including having to overcome her stage fright.

Li, who holds a double degree in Law and Finance, runs a vegetable wholesale and import business with her husband.

You can read her post here:

Related story:

Top image via Minhua Li/Facebook

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