Saturday, August 15, 2009
Miss Universe crown hails from Winnsboro, South Carolina. She bested 34 other delegates and survived a triple tie breaker with runner-up Martha Rocha of Brazil. One of the judges disclosed that it was Miss Brazil's "bulging hips" which cost her the crown although her face was said to have been "the most gorgeous in the contest". Still residing in Columbia, South Carolina, the ever popular Miriam remains on the go with her various activities as real estate agent and a fashion, bridal, and wedding consultant. She is married to Donald Upton and together they have two sons.
1st runner-up Martha Ma. Rocha BRAZIL
2nd runner-up Virginia June Lee HONG KONG
3rd runner-up Regina Ernst GERMANY
4th runner-up Ragnhild Olafsson SWEDEN
SEMI-FINALISTS
Ivana Olga Kislinger ARGENTINA
Gloria Legisos CHILE
Marian Esquivel McKeown COSTA RICA
Jacqueline Beer FRANCE
Rika Dialina GREECE
Maria Teresa Paliani ITALY
Mona Stornes NORWAY
Liliana Torre PANAMA
Isabella Leon Velarde Dancuart PERU
Blesilda Ocampo PHILIPPINES
Ana Moreno URUGUAY
