The 66th Miss Universe pageant is all set to be held on November 26 at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. Contestants from 93 countries and territories have participated in this year's beauty pageant, surpassing the previous record of 89 contestants in 2011 and 2012.
Last year, Miss France Iris Mittenaere won the coveted Miss Universe 2016 title beating 86 other contestants at a glittering ceremony held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Every year, the international beauty pageant is held in more than 190 countries worldwide and seen by more than half a billion people annually. The current Miss Universe pageant was founded by Pacific Knitting Mills, a California-based clothing company and manufacturer of Catalina Swimwear in 1952. The first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California in 1952 and was won Armi Kuusela from Finland.
However, Kuusela later gave up her title to get married, shortly before her year was completed. Since then, the world has witnessed a number of beauties being honoured with the title of Miss Universe. While the world is all gearing up to welcome Miss Universe 2017 with utmost warmth and happiness, IBTimes Singapore has compiled some interesting facts about the last 10 winners of Miss Universe.
Riyo Mori
Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe in 2007 by the outgoing titleholder Zuleyka Rivera. Apart from modelling, Mori a successful Japanese actress and dancer. In 2016, Mori was invited to be the guest judge in the preliminary competition of 65th Miss Universe in the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Dayana Mendoza
Dayana Mendoza beat 27 other candidates to win the title of Miss Universe 2008 and she became the second woman to represent the Amazonas state to win. At present, Mendoza is working an actress and model in Venezuela.
Stefania Fernandez
Stefanía Fernández Krupij is currently working as a Venezuelan TV host and model. She won the Miss Universe 2009 title and earned a Guinness World Records by being the first Miss Universe winner who was crowned by a compatriot.
Ximena Navarrete
Jimena "Ximena" Navarrete Rosete is a Mexican actress, TV Host, model and beauty queen who won Miss Universe 2010. She became the second Mexican to win the prestigious title of Miss Universe.
Leila Lopes
Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe in the year 2011 at the age of 25 years. At present, she is working as an Angolan actress, TV host, and model.
Olivia Culpo
Born in 1992, Olivia Culpo is an American actress, model, and a television presenter. She won the title of Miss Universe in 2012.
Gabriela Isler
María Gabriela de Jesús Isler Morales is a Venezuelan TV Host, fashion model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2013 in Moscow, Russia. Isler was also crowned Miss Venezuela 2012. According to reports, she is the seventh Miss Universe from Venezuela and the third Miss Universe from Venezuela in six years.
Paulina Vega
Paulina Vega was crowned Miss Universe in the year 2014. Currently, she is working as a Colombian actress, television host, and a model.
Pia Wurtzbach
Pia Maria Alonzo Wurtzbach is a Filipino-German actress, TV host, and a model. She won the title of Miss Universe in 2015.
Wurtzbach has appeared in films such as Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003), All My Life (2004), and All About Love (2006). She also went on to become a stylist, makeup artist and beauty writer for Philippine Daily Inquirer's 2bU section.
Iris Mittenaere
Iris Mittenaere was crowned Miss Universe in 2016. Iris beat 85 contestants to become the second French Miss Universe after Christiane Martel won the title 63 years ago. At present, she is working as a model.
