Madison Isabella Marsh, born on August 2, 2001, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is an American beauty pageant titleholder and a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
She made history by being crowned Miss America 2024, becoming the first active-duty military officer to win the title.
Early Life and Education:
- Family Background: Madison is the daughter of Mike and Whitney Marsh and has four siblings. Her father is a physician, and her mother was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Tragically, her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer when Madison was seventeen, which inspired her to become an advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness. In 2019, she founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation in her mother’s honor to raise funds for cancer research.
- Education: Madison graduated from Southside High School in Fort Smith in 2019. During her youth, she developed a passion for aviation, attending space camps and obtaining her pilot’s license at the age of 17. She pursued higher education at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, earning a degree in astrophysics in 2023. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. She furthered her studies by attending the Harvard Kennedy School through the Air Force Civilian Institution program.
Pageantry Career:
- Miss Academy 2023: While at the Air Force Academy, Madison was crowned Miss Academy 2023, a pageant for academy attendees.
- Miss Colorado 2023: Her victory as Miss Academy qualified her for the Miss Colorado pageant, which she won in May 2023 on her third attempt. This achievement made her the first Miss America contestant to be an active-duty military officer.
- Miss America 2024: Representing Colorado, Madison competed in the Miss America 2024 pageant held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida, on January 14, 2024. She advanced through the competition, ultimately being crowned Miss America 2024, becoming the fourth woman representing Colorado to win the title and the first member of the U.S. Armed Forces to do so.
Advocacy and Impact:
Madison’s personal experiences have fueled her dedication to cancer research and awareness. Through the Whitney Marsh Foundation, she actively raises funds and promotes early detection of pancreatic cancer. Her unique position as both a military officer and Miss America allows her to bridge the gap between the armed forces and the public, inspiring many with her commitment to service and education.
Recent Engagements:
In her role as Miss America, Madison has participated in various events, including meeting with students and ROTC cadets to share her experiences and advocate for service and education.
Madison Marsh’s journey reflects a blend of dedication, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact, both in her military career and through her advocacy work.