Miss Universe thanks God for the way he made her

Leila Lopes from Angola has thanked God after she was crowned Miss Universe at the 60th anniversary of the beauty pageant on Monday night.

When asked what physical trait she would change about herself, Lopes said: “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” on Tuesday, the day after winning the Miss Universe crown.

“I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life,” continued Lopes.

The 25-year-old new Miss Universe is from Benguela, Angola. Lopes said she hopes that earning the crown will help her effort to eliminate war and impoverishment from her country, and stated that her knack “to motivate people” aided her win.

Born February 26, 1986, Miss Angola’s full name is Leila Luliana da Costa Vieira Lopes. A business management student in the United Kingdom, she was crowned Miss Angola UK in October 2010. Lopes is an official representative of the Angolan community in the UK and has vowed to help fight AIDS and poverty.

“I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs,” said Lopes, answering questions Tuesday morning. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.”

Lopes responded to questions about her appearance, denying that she has undergone plastic surgery, and offering beauty tips that included wearing sunscreen, getting plenty of sleep, and drinking water.

The contest was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and included 89 women from all over the world.