PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE TO WED IN 2018
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who represented South Africa, won the Miss Universe crown Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who wants to use her reign to champion HIV/ AIDS and self-defence causes, was crowned at The AXIS theatre at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
“HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that,’’ she said before reporters after the event.
Along with the title, NelPeters earned a yearlong salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign and more prizes.
The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett.
Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition.
When asked to name the most important issue women face in the workplace, Nel-Peters said the lack of equal pay.
“In some places, women get paid 75 per cent of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours and I do not believe that is right,’’ said Nel-Peters, who recently earned a business management degree. “I think we should have equal work for equal pay for women all over the world.’’
Nel-Peters is from the South African coastal community of Sedgefield in the Western Cape province.