Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, was named the winner of the Miss World 2014 competition in a London finale, according to CBS News.
Before the fourth year medical student took her crown as Miss World 2014, she was reportedly criticized for weight gain, which led to the Sun International issuing a press statement that Rolene Strauss would only begin her fitness regime for the international pageants in mid-August, according to Heavy.
Despite the initial criticism, the winner of the Miss World 2014 competition beat out runner-up Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit, according to NY Daily News. Strauss reportedly beat out 121 contestants.
Strauss won the title of Miss South Africa in March and has reportedly been using her position to follow her “passion for women’s rights, health and education,” she said in her Miss World 2014 introduction video. The Miss World 2014 winner reportedly highlighted her work educating girls about menstruation to keep them in school.
“South Africa, this is for you,” Strauss stated after the win.
She added, “I’m so proud of you and I’m proud to be your representative.”
Rolene Strauss had reportedly had dreams of becoming Miss South Africa since she eight.
“Miss South Africa is all about giving, and that’s why I entered the competition. South Africa is my pride. I am who I am because of our country and the opportunities she has given me. It is now time to start giving back. The pageant is the ideal platform for giving back and making a difference,” Strauss told Oprah Magazine.
