VCG via Getty ImagesVanessa Ponce de Leon made history on Saturday to become the first Miss Mexico to be crowned Miss World.
The 2018 pageant took place in the Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China. The 26-year-old winner beat 117 other contestants, including runner up Miss Thailand Nicolene Limsnukan, Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, who placed third, and and other finalists from Belarus, France, Scotland, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Mauritius, Uganda, Nepal, New Zealand and Thailand.
"I can't believe it, I really can't believe it," the newly crowned Miss World 2018 said backstage. "And I think all the girls deserved it. I am proud to represent all of them. I will do as much as I can in the time I have got. Thank you so much, everyone."
The new Miss World has a degree in International Business and has worked as a model and TV host. She is also involved in charity work, and serves on the board of directors of a rehab center for girls and volunteers for Migrantes en el Camino and is also a speaker for the National Youth Institute.
See photos of her and other contestants at the pageant:
Miss United States
Presenting Marisa Butler (from Maine).
Miss Malaysia
Presenting Larissa Ping Liew.
Miss Uganda
Presenting Quilin Abenakyo.
Miss France
Presenting Maeva Coucke.
Miss Belarus
Presenting Maria Vasilevichv.
Miss Jamaica
Presenting Kadijah Robinson.
Miss Cook Islands
Presenting Reihana Koteka-Wiki.
Miss Vietnam
Presenting Vy Tran.
Swish
Contestants show off their colorful costumes.
Top 5 Finalists
Contestants Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan of Thailand, Quiin Abenakyo of Uganda, Vanessa Ponce De Leon of Mexico, Kadijah Robinson of Jamaica, and Maria Vasilevich of Belarus appear onstage at the Miss World 2018 beauty pageant.
And the Winner Is...
Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon reacts as she is crowned the 68th Miss World by Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar from India.
The Miss World pageant was created in Britain in 1951 and is the oldest surviving major international beauty contest.