Miss Venezuela was crowned winner of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant on Sunday, for the second year in a row. Stefania Fernandez won the annual competition, which was held this year in the Bahamas.
Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced runner up Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz, as the announcement was made, and received the crown from last year's winner, Dayana Mendoza, also from Venezuela. The sparkling tiara fell to the floor at one point, as Fernandez celebrated. The other top-five finalists were Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, and Miss Puerto Rico. This makes the sixth time the Miss Universe pageant has been won by a representative from Venezuela. Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality.
