‘Truly grateful’: Miss Alabama 2026 Ruby Tilghman ready for exciting year in new home state

Brains, beauty, and a genuine heart for community service define the newest face of the state. Ruby Tilghman, the newly crowned Miss Alabama 2026, is ready to hit the ground running as she prepares to represent the Heart of Dixie.

At 22, Tilghman is a University of Alabama alumna with big dreams. While she has her sights set on a medical career at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, she is pressing pause on her studies to dedicate the next year to her responsibilities as Miss Alabama. Her itinerary is packed with public appearances, charity initiatives, and motivational speaking engagements across the state.

A Heart for Alabama

Although born in Mississippi and raised in Panama City, Florida, Tilghman has long called Alabama home. Her journey to the state crown included holding local titles like Miss University of Alabama and Miss Birmingham. In a sit-down interview with 205focus.com, she emphasized that her love for the state goes beyond the food scene or football Saturdays.

"I found that Alabamians care about each other," Tilghman said. "They feel a responsibility to their neighbors, and that is inspired by just a mutual respect for each other."

Looking Ahead to Miss America

Tilghman (pronounced “Tillman”) is currently preparing for the upcoming Miss America competition. As she steps into her role as an ambassador, she is especially eager to participate in the celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial year. She views her reign as a final, heartfelt "thank you" to the organization that helped her develop the confidence to pursue her medical goals.

Finding Balance and Roots

Beyond the crown, Tilghman stays grounded through her love for the outdoors. Despite being a "beach girl" who enjoys paddle boarding and fishing, she also values her time in nature, having visited 28 national parks with her family. Her favorite remains Glacier National Park, specifically the trek along the Highline Trail.

Back in Tuscaloosa, she is a familiar face at FIVE—a spot she frequented while studying for the MCAT—and stays active with friends at the Riverwalk. A dedicated student, she balanced her academics with her sorority life as a member of Alpha Gamma Delta.

A Mission Driven by Personal Experience

Tilghman’s desire to work in primary care is deeply personal. Diagnosed with Tourette’s at age 12, she experienced firsthand the difficulty of accessing specialized care in rural areas. That challenge drives her ambition to provide better healthcare access for underserved communities across Alabama.

When asked how she handles critics who feel the title should only be held by a native Alabamian, Tilghman stands firm. "If your view is that way, then you are failing to give the state credit for what it does best," she said. "And that is rope people in, and wrap them in its arms, and compel them to care more about the people around them."