Miss Universe 2011: Angola's Leila Lopes becomes fourth African winner

Miss Universe 2011 hails from Angola. Leila Lopez is the fourth winner from Africa, but only the second African of African descent.

Angola, 2011

Andre Penner/AP
Angola's Leila Lopes competes in the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Sept. 12.

Leila Lopes took the crown Sept. 12, 2011 in São Paulo, Brazil. The Angolan business student, who said her smile was her best weapon, said she intends to focus her humanitarian efforts on fighting HIV worldwide.

Cognizant of the rarity of a black pageant winner, judges asked her what she thought of that track record. Ms. Lopes replied: “Any racist needs to seek help. It’s not normal in the 21st century to think in that way," reports MSNBC.

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