Most Beautiful Miss World 1951-2016, 68th place

 

68th place - Linor Abargil (Israel)

 "I am not scared to talk about my rape but I hope men will be afraid"

 

Miss World 1998, the 48th edition of the pageant, was held on 26 November 1998 at the Lake Berjaya Mahé Resort in Mahé Island, Seychelles. 86 delegates from around the world competed.  Linor Abargil from Israel was surprisingly crowned Miss World 1998 in a year were the typical beauty standards were challenged. Statuesque and shy Miss France was 2nd while charismatic Malaysia was 3rd. Big favorites from Czech Republic and South Africa were 4th and 5th respectively. The top 10 was completed by Chile (6th), Jamaica (7th), Usa (8th), Brazil (9th) and Peru (10th). 

 

The big shocker of the night was Miss Finland who finished unplaced after been the front runner. However she did not leave empty handed wining the Best in Evening Wear prize.

Miss Finland, left out from the Semi Finalists

Two months before she was crowned Miss World in 1998, Linor Abargil revealed to the press that she was raped. Ten years later, filmmaker Cecelia Peck created the documentary “Brave Miss World” which follows Linor’s journey while sharing​ the reality of rape throughout the world, as she urges worldwide survivors of sexual assault not to stay silent. Since then, she became a global advocate in the fight against sexual violence.

Fun Facts:

 

• Continental Queens: Israel (Europe), until this year  the nation was considered to be part of Asia, Malasya (Asia & Oceania), South Africa (Africa), Chile (Americas) and Jamaica (Caribbean).

• Miss Personality was Miss Seychelles and Miss Photogenic was Miss Brazil.

• That year Miss Ghana tripped during the final evening gown presentation. If this would have happened today, memes all over the world would have made her famous.

• The first "Best Day Wear" award was given to  Miss Australia.

•  Kerishnie Naicker from South Africa will latter compete in Miss Universe 1998 where she became a Semi Finalist (8th place). Christine Straw from Jamaica competed in Miss Universe 2004 were she placed 7th in the Top 10.