Dayana Mendoza

Dayana Mendoza, the 22-year old stunner from Venezuela, has bagged the title of Miss Universe 2008. With this, she has become the second woman representing the Amazonas state to win Miss Universe title, the first one being Carolina Izsak (Miss Universe 1991). The stunning beauty hails from Caracas, Venezuela, where she was born on 1st June 1986. A model by profession, she was one of the finalists of Elite Model Look International 2001.

In 2001, she signed with Elite Model Management. Following this, she modeled in a number of countries, including Italy, France, United States, England, Greece, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Peru. The list of designers she modeled for included names like Versace and Roberto Cavalli. Standing tall, at a height of 5'10", she speaks Spanish, English and Italian fluently. In 2007, she won Miss Venezuela beauty pageant and from there, went on to bag the title of Miss Universe 2008.

The green-eyed beauty was the favorite of bookies since the start of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant. However, it is believed that it was her answer to the final question, in which she was asked to explain the difference between men and women, which made a mark and led her to the crown. After winning the crown, she told the reporters that she was once kidnapped in her homeland. It was this experience that taught her how to remain clam and poised, even under the most stressful and pressurizing situations.