Vanessa Ponce de Leon, an international business graduate from Guanajuato, has become Mexico’s first Miss World, after winning the 2018 beauty pageant in Sanya, China last weekend.
In total, 118 women fought for the coveted title. Miss Thailand, Nicolene Limsnukan, was the runner up, while Quiin Abenakyo, Miss Uganda, was third.
Ponce de Leon joins two other celebrated Mexican “beauties,” Lupita Jones and Guadalajara’s Ximena Navarrete, who won the Miss Universe crowns in 1990 and 2010 respectively.
Ponce de Leon has worked as a model and TV host, and won Mexico’s Next Top Model in 2014. She volunteers for several charities, including helping out a shelter for migrants passing through Mexico. She is also a sports enthusiast, enjoying scuba diving, volleyball and ultimate frisbee.