There must be something in the water in Venezuela. The relatively small South American country took the Miss Universe title for the second year in a row and the sixth time since the inception of the competition.
Stefania Fernandez was crowned the 2009 Miss Universe in a spectacular pageant held in the Bahamas. The 18-year-old was exuberant when she was named the pageant's winner and danced with joy as she hugged the runner up from the Dominican Republic.
The Miss Universe crown took a fall as it was passed from one Venezuelan Miss Universe to another. The outgoing Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, reportedly whispered in Stefania’s ear saying she had worked hard to win consecutive crowns. Stefania said Venezuelans have been successful in the competition because they stay true to themselves.
The other top five finalists were runner-up Ada Aimee de la Cruz, followed by Miss Kosovo Droga Ganusha, Miss Australia Rachael Finch, and Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez.
Miss USA Kristen Dalton was a top 15 finalist.
Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez
Source: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
