World might say that 13 is unlucky number but Dayana Mendoza, would probably say it’s lucky. Dayana Mendoza, a 21-year old professional model and student from Caracas, won Miss Venezuela title on on September 13th 2007. The thirteen strikes again and on 13th July 2008 she was crowned Miss Universe 2008 at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas, won 1st runner-up. The second, third and fourth runners-up were Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia and Miss Mexico, respectively.
The judges panel comprises of Notable former beauty queens Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president of the Trump Organization; Roberto Cavalli, fashion designer and entrepreneur; Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl; Jennifer Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari, celebrity colorist and “Today Show” ambush makeover expert and John Nguyen, vice chairman of Hoan Cau, LTD Investment and Construction.
The Indian beauty!, Simran Kaur Mundi did not feature in final fifteen which included Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Lam Thuy Nguyen (Vietnam), Tansey Coetzee (South Africa), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Hiroko Mima (Japan), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Jazmin Dammak (Hungary), Eliska Buckova (Czech Republic), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain).
More about – Dayana Mendoza
Birth name: Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada
Birthdate: June 1, 1986 (age 22)
Birth location: Caracas, Venezuela
Height: 176 cm
Eye color: Green
Hair color: Brown
Major Competition(s): Miss Universe 2008 (Winner) and Elite Model Look International 2001 (finalist)
More about – Miss Universe pageant
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organization.
The Miss Universe Organization is a New York-based partnership firm between NBC and Donald Trump. It was founded in 1960 by California clothing company Pacific Mills. Miss Universe pageant which is organized by Donald Trump has seen many owners. Before Donald Trump acquired it in 1996 it was managed by Kayser-Roth, Gulf and Western Industries. The NBC and Donald Trump, is managing the pageant since June 20, 2002.
The story of Miss Universe pageant is one of the success story written on the emotions of withdrawal and rejection. In 1951, Yolande Betbeze, the winner of the Miss America 1951 pageant, refused to pose in a swimsuit from its major sponsor, Catalina swimwear. Pacific Mills, the owner of brand Catalina swimwear withdrew from the sponsorship of Miss America and set up Miss USA and Miss Universe contests. In 1952, Armi Kuusela won the first Miss Universe Pageant. It was held in Long Beach, California.
Braj Mohan Chaturvedi 