Sunday, August 16, 2009
Delegates arrived in Quito from May 12, 2004 and participated in three weeks of events, rehearsals and preliminary competitions prior to the final televised competition. Events took place in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Riobamba.
For the second consecutive year, Billy Bush and Daisy Fuentes hosted the final televised pageant, with entertainment from Gloria Estefan.
At the conclusion of the final competition, Australian model Jennifer Hawkins was crowned Miss Universe 2004, by outgoing titleholder Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic. Hawkins was the first Australian titleholder since Kerry AnneWells won in 1972. She was also the first blonde Miss Universe since Angela Visser in 1989.
Host city
Quito, Ecuador was announced as host city of the pageant on 19 August 2003. The city paid $5 million for the right to host the event, although it anticipated recouping this through visitors and promotion of the country during the televised competition.
The title of Miss Universe was won by Jennifer Hawkins of Australia.
The runners-up were:
1st runner-up - Shandi Finnessey (USA)
2nd runner-up - Alba Reyes (Puerto Rico)
3rd runner-up - Yanina González (Paraguay)
4th runner-up - Danielle Jones (Trinidad and Tobago)
The Top 10 (in order of final placement after competing in evening gown and swimsuit): Catherine Daza Manchola (Colombia), Susana Rivadeneira (Ecuador), Christine Straw (Jamaica), Tanushree Dutta (India), Nancy Soto (Costa Rica)
The Top 15 (in order of final placement after competing in evening gown): Kathrine Sørland (Norway), Gabriela Barros (Chile), Bianca Sissing (Switzerland), Rosalva Luna (Mexico), Telma Sonhi (Angola)
Special awards
Miss Congenality - Laia Manetti (Italy)
Miss Photogenic - Alba Reyes (Puerto Rico)
Best National Costume - Jessica Rodriguez (Panama)
