13 things about Miss New Mexico USA 2024 Mackenzie Sydow

Mackenzie Lee Sydow represented New Mexico, United States in the 73rd edition of Miss USA. It was won by Alma Cooper of Michigan, USA.

BIOGRAPHY

Sydow is an American psychologist, model and beauty queen originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her father Brian Sydow is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, USA and her mother Sara Fosbinder Sydow was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA to Robert Fosbinder and Paula Boyd.

From Santa Fe, Mackenzie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her younger brother Michael Sydow, who is autistic and nonverbal, was born in 2003.

On October 23, 2024, Mackenzie turned 23. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. Her parents got married in 2002 and divorced in 2012.
2. From 2012 to 2013, she and Michael lived with their mother.
3. In 2013, she and Michael were put in separate foster care in Albuquerque after authorities found out their mother was struggling with substance abuse.
4. Her mother went missing in 2015 and was found dead in 2016.
5. In 2019, her father died.
6. In 2020, she graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque and became an employee of Alianza Family Services in Albuquerque.
7. From 2020 to 2024, she attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and community health.
8. In 2021, she became an employee of Billy’s Long Bar in Albuquerque.
9. She was a Miss New Mexico USA 2022 semifinalist.
10. She was a Miss New Mexico USA 2023 semifinalist.
11. She won Miss New Mexico USA 2024.
12. She was a Miss USA 2024 candidate.
13. In 2025, she entered Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, USA to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

TIMELINE

According to investigators, Mackenzie’s mother Sara died after a night of heavy drinking at the residence of Sara’s friend Adam Sadlowski. Mackenzie became her brother Michael’s primary caretaker after their mother’s death.

2010s

• On March 8, 2015, her mother turned 35.
• On September 19, 2015, her mother was reported missing.
• In March 2016, her mother was found dead in a blue bin in the East Mountains in Golden, New Mexico. Her death was ruled an accidental overdose.
• On December 11, 2019, her father died of a heart attack. He was 44.

2020s

• In March 2020, she started working at Alianza Family Services as a caregiver.
• In June 2021, she started working as a career advisor at the University of New Mexico.
• On June 5, 2022, she competed against 23 other Miss New Mexico USA 2022 candidates at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She finished in the Top 16.
• In November 2022, she started working at Billy’s Long Bar as a waitress, a hostess and a bartender.
• In May 2023, she started working as a pool lifeguard in Albuquerque.
• On June 3, 2023, she competed against 24 other Miss New Mexico USA 2023 candidates at the Center for the Arts of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. She finished in the Top 15.
• In February 2024, she started working as a freelance writer in Albuquerque.
• On June 30, 2024, she represented Uptown, Albuquerque at Miss New Mexico USA 2024 and competed against 31 other candidates at the Center for the Arts of New Mexico State University. She won the title.
• On August 4, 2024, she represented New Mexico at Miss USA 2024 and competed against 50 other candidates at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was unplaced.
• In December 2024, she graduated from the University of New Mexico.
• On August 17, 2025, she will go back to the Center for the Arts of New Mexico State University to crown her successor Miss New Mexico USA 2025.