Iceland beauty is surprise Miss World winner
Showbiz Desk

SANYA (China)—Miss Iceland Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir was crowned the surprise winner of the Miss World 2005 in a lavish ceremony watched live by millions across the globe.
The 21-year-old Reykjavik student, daughter of Miss Iceland 1983, expressed her delight and astonishment at beating out a field of 102 young women from around the world.
The green-eyed brunette will serve as a goodwill ambassador and charity fund-raiser for children’s causes throughout next year and is likely to profit from a host of modelling and acting contracts.
“It was wonderful, so wonderful. It has been an amazing night,” the 1.73 metre (five foot eight inch) Vilhjalmsdottir told newsmen.
“I did not think that I would win, it was a big surprise.
Runner-up was Miss Mexico Dafne Molina Lona, representing the Americas, while the third place title went to Miss Puerto Rico Ingrid Marie Rivera Santos, representing the Caribbean zone.
Miss Philippines Carlene Aguillar had been the bookmakers’ favourite.
Organisers said the pageant’s 55th edition would reach an estimated audience of two billion.
Vilhjalmsdottir is a student from Reykjavik who has interned as a policewoman during her summer holidays while studying courses in anthropology and aspiring towards a career in law.
Winning the coveted title is likely to change her life, as she embarks on a rigorous year of charity appearances and advocating humanitarian causes.
“In the coming year I want to do just as much as I can to help. I would love to do what I can do for charity and for the children of the world,” she said.
“I want to thank all the other girls. Thank you for the wonderful five weeks here in Sanya, China, it has just been so wonderful. I made a lot of friends here who will stay my friends forever.”
Vilhjalmsdottir beat finalists from six zones, including Miss Italy Sofia Bruscoli, awarded the title of Miss South Europe, Miss Tanzania Nancy Abraham Sumary, who was named Miss Africa and Miss Korea Eun-Young Oh, who was crowned Miss Asia Pacific.
The cherished title “Beauty With A Purpose” also went to Miss Korea, an award commemorating her humanitarian fund raising and charity work.
Miss Russia Yulia Ivanova won the bathing suit section, while Miss America Virgin Islands Kmisha-Victoria Counts won the talent contest with her sweet soul singing.
This year was the first time that all nine judges were former Miss World title holders, including Miss World 1953 Denise Perrier Lanfranchi of France.
“All of them are just beautiful,” said judge Ann Sidney, Miss World 1964 from England. “It was a question of who was shining the most tonight, who had the forces of destiny with her.”
Vilhjalmsdottir is also chairwoman of her college social club and teaches dance. She enjoys acting, singing, dancing, snow-boarding, hiking, camping, horsemanship and has a special talent for choreography and playing the piano.
If her dreams of becoming a lawyer do not pan out, doors will likely open for her in a wide variety of other fields, including acting and modelling.
She takes over from Miss World 2004 Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, who ends her reign after a year of globetrotting that has taken her to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Russia, Tibet and to the mountains of her native Peru where she has worked to improve education for children.