South African Med Student Crowned Miss World 2014

A 22-year-old South African woman has won the 64th annual Miss World 2014 beauty pageant.

Rolene Strauss, a medical student, was crowned this year’s winner at the pageant Sunday in London. Hundreds of millions of people around the world are estimated to have watched the ceremonies on television.

Hungary’s Edina Kulcsar came in second and Elizabeth Safrit of the United States was third. More than 120 countries were represented.

This year’s pageant was marred by tragedy after the Honduran contestant, Maria Jose Alvarado, was found shot dead along with her sister last month. Police suspect the sister’s boyfriend of shooting the pair after seeing his partner dancing with another man at a party.

The new Miss World plans to travel to Honduras to help build a school named in honor of the murdered sisters.