In November that year, she became the first black African citizen, and the second black woman overall (after Jennifer Hosten), to claim the Miss World title (Although past winners such as Penelope Coelen and Anneline Kriel are South African, they are of European descent, and Antigone Costanda, who represented Egypt in 1954 is of Greek heritage).
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant — as is Miss Universe which started the same year. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley’s wife, Julia Morley, co-chairs the pageant. Alongside its rivals Miss Universe and Miss Earth, this pageant is one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world.
The winner spends a year traveling to represent the Miss World organization and its various causes.
The current Miss World is Rolene Strauss of South Africa who was crowned on December 14, 2014 in London, United Kingdom. Traditionally Miss World lives in London during her reign.
Miss World is part of the Big Four international beauty pageants.