competition in London.
"South Africa, this is for you," she said in an interview after the
pageant. "I'm so proud of you and I'm proud to be your
representative."
Strauss, 22, won the title over runner-up Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar.
Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit took third place. Strauss
inherited the crown from Miss World 2013, Megan Young of the
Philippines.
Strauss, a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free
State, put her studies on hold after being crowned Miss South Africa
in March. In her official Miss World 2014 introduction video she
credits former South African President Nelson Mandela with allowing
her to pursue a career in medicine by creating a democratic South
Africa.
Strauss said she looked forward to continuing the legacy of Miss World
CEO Julia Morley, founder of "Beauty with a Purpose," a nonprofit that
supports humanitarian projects of Miss World contestants. As Miss
South Africa, Strauss has supported projects in women's rights, health
and education, including one to provide menstruation education to
schoolgirls in South Africa.
Credit: CNN