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South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was crowned Miss Universe in a ceremony in Las Vegas, USA, on Sunday night.

Demi-Leigh (22), from Sedgefield in the Western Cape, is the first South African to win the title since Margaret Gardiner in 1978.

The runner-ups in the competition were Colombia and Jamaica. A fan from the Philippines wrote on Facebook that Demi-Leigh outshone the other 91 contestants from the start. “Whenever she’s around the stage alights… we have to be good sports and appreciate the hard work, natural wit and grace and aplomb of Miss South Africa who truly deserves the crown.”

Demi-Leigh, a part-time model and business management graduate, won Miss South Africa in March. She said at the time that her biggest “motivator in life” is her half-sister Franje (10) who is disabled after being born without a cerebellum.

She said she considers herself “extremely blessed to have four amazing parents” who are her biggest supporters and have always believed in her. Her mom (“my absolute rock”) and step-dad live in Sedgefield. Her father recently made his dream come true by opening a guest house in Potchefstroom.

Check the photos and videos at https://www.sapeople.com/2017/11/27/south-africas-demi-leigh-nel-peters-wins-miss-universe