Mexican woman crowned Miss Universe

A 22-year-old Mexican woman won the Miss Universe pageant Monday night after donning a flowing red gown and telling an audience it's important to teach kids family values.

Jimena Navarrete of Guadalajara was first to answer an interview question Monday night and the last of 83 contestants standing in the headline-grabbing pageant on the Las Vegas Strip.

“I want to give my parents a big hug,” she said at a news conference after the pageant. “There was a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice.”

The train of her single-strap dress floated behind her like a sheet as she walked during the evening gown competition. Before that, she smiled in a violet bikini as she confidently strutted across the stage.

Asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised Internet use, Ms. Navarrete said the Internet is important but parents need to be careful and watch over their kids.

“I do believe that Internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time,” she said through an interpreter. “We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family.”

First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, while second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Ms. Navarrete said she didn't expect to win.

“I did feel surprised,” she said. “I was like in a state of shock.”

Ms. Navarrete – who's been modeling since she was 15 – is Mexico's second Miss Universe. Lupita Jones of Mexico won the title in 1991. Ms. Navarrete replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

Ms. Navarrete's win thwarted Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson from giving the South American country a third consecutive victory. Ms. Gibson did not make it into the top 15 finalists.

Ms. Navarrete was immediately congratulated on Twitter by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

“Congratulations to Jimena Navarrete for her deserved victory as Miss Universe,” Mr. Calderon said. “This will serve Mexico, (and) our image as a country.”