Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss crowned Miss World 2014

OHMYGOSSIP — Miss World 2014, the 64th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on December 14, 2014 at ExCeL London in London, UK. Megan Young of the Philippines crowned her successor Rolene Strauss of South Africa at the end of the event. 121 contestants competed for the crown. This is the second time that South Africa has won the title outright and the third time they have held the title.

“South Africa, this is for you,” Rolene Strauss said in an interview after the pageant. “I’m so proud of you, and I’m proud to be your representative.”

Rolene (born 22 April 1992) is a South African beauty queen who was crowned Miss South Africa 2014, and in December the same year won Miss World 2014 in London. She is the second South African woman to win the Miss World pageant, but the third to hold the title.

Strauss was born in Volksrust, South Africa, the daughter of Theresa, a nurse, and Hennie Strauss, a doctor. In the year 2000, at 8 years of age, Rolene Strauss witnessed the crowning of Jo-Ann Strauss (unrelated) as Miss SA. She dreamed of winning the title herself, and she did so in March 2014.

Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss crowned Miss World 2014

Strauss is a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free State, put her studies on hold after being crowned Miss South Africa in March. In her official Miss World 2014 introduction video, she credits former South African President Nelson Mandela with paving the way for her to pursue a career in medicine by creating a democratic South Africa.

Strauss said she looked forward to continuing the legacy of Miss World CEO Julia Morley, founder of “Beauty With a Purpose,” a nonprofit that supports humanitarian projects of Miss World contestants.

Those who participate in a charitable contest or cause through the organization compete for the “Beauty With a Purpose” award, winning points toward their final score.

The focus on charitable acts helps counter criticism that the pageant promotes superficial images of women through swimsuit competitions and slinky evening gowns. As Miss South Africa, Strauss has promoted projects in women’s rights, health and education, including one to provide menstruation education to schoolgirls in South Africa.