The Iconic Miss Universe Queens

02 / 11

Irene Saez The Spokeswoman of Inspiration

Mona Irene Lailin Sáez Conde who is most popularly known as Miss Universe 1981 is quite active and vigorous in her nation’s political issues for she is a renowned Venezuelan politician at present. Apart from showing her grandeur in the world of politics, she has also been an admired model. Formerly, Irene was the mayor of Chacao, Governor of the state of Nueva Esparta and a former presidential candidate. She was also the Queen of Club Campestre Los Cortijos for three years in a row. In 1997, she was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award at the Miss Universe Pageant. Soon after the 1998 presidential election, Sáez was elected Governor of the state of Nueva Esparta.

03 / 11

Lupita Jones The Glamorous Artiste

María Lupita Jones is a celebrated Mexican actress, director and beauty queen who became the first Mexican woman to win the title of Miss Universe in 1991. In 2000, Jones accepted the appointment of UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and also joined the Face to Face Campaign Spokesperson for Mexico. From 2008 to 2014, Lupita Jones alongside the National Director of Miss Venezuela, Osmel Sousa mentored the pageant, Nuestra Belleza Latina, which was a reality television series meant to search the passionate pageant aspirants. After 13 years, Lupita finally produced two Miss International winners and one Miss Universe titleholder.

04 / 11

Sushmita Sen The Epitome of Womanhood

Sushmita Sen, the first Indian Miss Universe, who is much loved for her eloquence and humbleness, is also a popular Bollywood film actress and model. Sushmita, who in her final answer of Miss Universe 1994 won the hearts by narrating the essence of woman, adopted a baby girl in 2000, which she named Renée. She, as a single woman of only 25 years of age, was not viewed as socially acceptable to obtain the guardianship of the baby. However, the High Court of Bombay quashed the appeal and she obtained gain of cause. In 2010, she adopted a three-month-old girl and named her Alisah, and proved the ideal of womanhood by being the mother of two kids without getting married.

05 / 11

Alicia Machado The Talented Queen

Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo, who is a distinguished Venezuelan actress, TV host and singer, won the Miss Universe crown in 1996. Machado appeared on the cover of the February 2006 issue of Playboy magazine's Mexican edition, thus becoming the only Miss Universe to pose nude for Playboy. In 2012, Alicia was chosen as one of the top ten competitors of the third season of Mira Quien Baila. Later, Alicia won 3rd place in the 3rd season of Univision's dance competition Mira Quien Baila. In 2013, Machado starred as the protagonist of La Madame, a television serial produced by RTI Productions and RCN TV in Colombia. In February 2014, she joined Univision's beauty pageant Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 as a mentor where she coaches the participants on how to succeed in the modeling and television industry. She is truly an inspirational figure.

06 / 11

Oxana Fedorova The Surreal Beauty

Oxana who is remembered as one of the most beautiful titleholders crowned as Miss Universe 2002, is also a Russian actress, singer, television presenter and retired police officer. Fedorova worked as an inspector in the Pskov militia. She obtained her Ph.D. in Civil Law, subsequently she continued to teach at the Saint Petersburg University. Oxana hosted country's most popular children's television show, Good Night, Little Ones and has walked the runway for top fashion designers like Tony Ward and Yulia Yanina. In 2008, Oxana Fedorova released her first book, The Formula of Style. The gorgeous diva, Oxana Fedorova was also an agent for Sergey Mironov, leader of the Russian Party of Life and Speaker of the Federation Council, during the 2004 presidential election. She also established the children's charitable foundation, Hurry To Create Wonders in October 2009. She has been representing UNICEF in Russia since 2006. She became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the Russian Federation in 2007.

07 / 11

Amelia Vega The Graceful Sensation

Amelia Vega Polanco is celebrated as a Dominican actress, singer, model and charity worker besides being acknowledged as Miss Universe 2003. She became the first Dominican woman to be named Miss Universe. Vega has appeared on the cover of several magazines, from her country's local Mujer Unica and “Oh” Magazine, along with Cosmopolitan, Caras, InStyle, Vanidades, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, and Selecta. She is also the lead image for the campaigns of Cover Girl, since the past four years. She has also hosted several editions of "Festival Presidente" which was attended by more than 60,000 people. Amelia's first music single "Pasa Un Segundito" was released in 2010, which became a top Latin song in just two days. She owns two boutiques in Miami, Florida. Donald Trump named her his favorite Miss Universe ever, even mentioning her in one of his books.

08 / 11

Natalie Glebova The Elegant Persona

Natalie Glebova is a Russian-Canadian TV Host, author, dancer and model, who was crowned as Miss Universe 2005. In December 2006, Glebova starred in the television advertisement for The Beverly Hills, which created an air of French romanticism making her bag the "Best Actress" award during "The 13th Annual Most Popular TV Commercial Awards" ceremony in Hong Kong. In February 2007, Natalie published her first book Healthy Happy Beautiful and it turned out to be a major best seller. In February 2007, Glebova became a brand ambassador for Better Vision and was appointed as Brand Beauty Ambassador for ICC International. Natalie instigated a new charity organization called, Party 4 Charity. Glebova also serves as an ambassador for Soi Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization aiding homeless street animals in Thailand. She also became a brand ambassador for "Caring Hare Expert" and Diamond Ambassador for Canadian Ice Diamond Collection.

09 / 11

Zuleyka Rivera The Effervescent Personality

Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza is a Puerto Rican actress, TV Host, dancer and model apart from winning Miss Universe 2006. She made her debut as a telenovela actress in Mexico's Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate in 2007. The beauty queen made a cult by donning the heavy and cold metallic ensemble gown at the finale of Miss Universe. Zuleyka Rivera’s gown designed by Carlos Alberto, left red marks on Zuleyka’s nape and its sheer weight simply burdened her and she fainted after being crowned. She is still remembered as one of the strongest spirited titleholders.

10 / 11

Stefania Fernandez The History Maker

Stefanía Fernández Krupij is a Venezuelan television host, model and beauty queen who won the Miss Universe 2009 title making the first ever back to back of the pageant in the history. She earned a Guinness record by being the first Miss Universe winner who was crowned by a compatriot, which makes her the only beauty queen to accomplish the feat. The gorgeous queen is still cherished for her evergreen beauty and outstanding charisma.

11 / 11

Ximena Navarrete The Vivacious Diva

Ximena Navarrete Rosete is a famous Mexican actress, model, TV Host and beauty queen who won Miss Universe 2010, becoming the second Mexican titleholder. In 2013, Ximena Navarette played a dual role in La Tempestad as Marina Reverte and Magdalena Reverte with William Levy and Daniela Romo. In 2011, Navarrete became spokesperson of L'Oreal Paris and Old Navy. This gorgeous diva is flawless in her beauty and magnificent in her aura. She has received worldwide compliments for her timeless yet chic beauty.