Strong-Principled, Kindhearted Miss Angola Is Miss Universe 2011

Candidate of Angola Leila Lopes (L) is crowned by Miss Universe 2010, Mexican Ximena Navarrete (R), during the ceremony of election and coronation of Miss Universe 2011 at Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo. EPA/BGNES

Miss Angola Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe for 2011 in the 60th edition of the contest, which took place in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Lopes captivated the jury and audience not only with her beauty and intelligence, but also to her commitment to the peace and prosperity of her country, as well as the fight against HIV.

The Angolese beauty said she hopes that her win at the prestigious global pageant will aid her in those pursuits.

In a fashion set out by ancient Greek philosopher Plato that has run through the ages, Lopes has suggested that the beauty of the soul comes first and is more important than outward beauty.

"I consider myself a woman gifted with a strong internal beauty. I have principles I have learned from my family and that I intend to keep until the end of my life," said the 25-years-old.

Lopes's win comes in spite of the perception before the contest that the award will be once more given to a representative from Latin America, after last year's crowning of Miss Mexico, Ximena Navarrete.

The first runner-up in the pageant was Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine, while Brazil's Priscila Machado was awarded the third place.

The five finalists of Miss Universe, Ukraine's Olesya Stefanko; the Philippines' Shamcey Supsup; China's Luo Zilin, Brazil's Priscila Machado and Angola`s Leila Lopes. Photo by EPA/BGNES

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