South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi has been crowned Miss Universe 2019.
The 26-year-old beauty queen beat 89 others during the pageant held in Atlanta.
She was crowned on Sunday night.
Miss Puerto Rico, Madison Anderson emerged first runner up while Miss Mexico Sofia Aragon was the second runner-up.
Tunzi’s biography describes her as a “passionate activist” who is “engaged in the fight against gender based violence,” adding; “She has devoted her social media campaign to changing the narrative around gender stereotypes. She is a proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.”
The final three were asked on-stage: “What is the most important thing you should be teaching young girls today?”
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Tunzi, who was clad in a striking gold and silver gown, answered: “Leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time … because of what society has labeled women to be.
“I think we are the most powerful beings in the world, and that we should be given every opportunity, and that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space.
“Nothing is as important as taking up space in the society and cementing yourself.”
When asked why she’s the right choice, she said: “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful.
“I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”
