Ivian Sarcos, 21, took the ultimate beauty accolade at Earls Court in London, the city where the first Miss World was staged in 1951.
Outside the venue, a small feminist demonstration took place, protesting at what they said was an "appalling offence against women's equality".
The beauty contest was broadcast live to more than 150 countries and was watched by a billion viewers, organisers said.
The competition has drawn criticism in recent years for being outdated and little more than a chance to look good in swimwear.
But of the 122 contestants whom Sarcos beat, a quarter are graduates and more than half speak three or more languages.
Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, is crowned Miss World 2011 in Earls Court in west London November 6, 2011.
Sarcos, who currently works for a broadcasting company, said her future ambition was to work with non-governmental organisations and children, according to the Miss World web site.
She has already created her own foundation to help youngsters.
Her hobbies include volleyball, mountaineering and trekking.
One of 13 children, Sarcos said her proudest moment was "when I did my Communion".
Next year's Miss World will be held in China's Inner Mongolia.
A human resources graduate from Venezuela, whose ambition is to work with children, was crowned Miss World 2011 at a glittering beauty pageant in London on Sunday.
Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, was crowned the 2011 winner of the Miss World beauty pageant on Sunday at a glittering final ceremony in London.Wearing a pink dress with diamante studs that had a giant cascade of frills slashed below the waist, the 22-year-old gasped and threw her hands to her face as she was declared the winner.
"I felt the most gorgeous woman in the world. I was so happy and I wanted to shout, to cry, to stand still and to smile. So many emotions," she told AFP.
"I'm incredibly happy for this moment, for this opportunity and for winning and I'm grateful with my life."
Sarcos, who was brought up in a nunnery after being orphaned aged eight, has a human resources degree and works for a broadcasting company.
Last year's Miss World, Alexandria Mills of the United States, took off her sparkling crown and placed it on her successor's head as Sarcos sat in a shimmering silver throne.
Miss Philippines, Gwendoline Ruais, was named the runner-up, while Miss Puerto Rico, Amanda Perez, came third in the contest, which was back in its home city to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Some 113 beauty queens from Albania to Zimbabwe took their place on the stage at the Earls Court Two auditorium in west London, with the show being broadcast live to an estimated audience of more than one billion viewers in 150 countries.
Around 50 feminists rallied outside, waving placards reading "Objectification won't achieve world peace", "Being a woman is not a competition" and "Sexism is pretty ugly".
A handful were veterans of the infamous 1970 Miss World final protest, when stink bombs were hurled on stage during a noisy demonstration.
The thousands of fans inside -- many dressed to the nines -- cheered, waved flags and shouted for their favourites.
Several point-scoring rounds were held over the previous two weeks during the contestants' tour of Britain, with the results revealed on stage and the top 15 going through to the semi-finals.
While beauty remains central to the event, brains, skills and good causes also play a major role. The majority of this year's have degree-level education and can speak at least three languages.
Miss Venezuela topped the interview round; Miss Dominican Republic, Marianly Tejada Burgos, was named the sports champion; home favourite Miss England, Alize Lily Mounter, won beach beauty, the classic swimwear contest, while Miss Kazakhstan, Zhanna Zhumaliyeva, was named top model.
The crowd were played clips from the talent round -- where performers sang, danced and gave piano recitals -- won by Miss Chile, Gabriela Pulgar Luco.
Miss Ghana, Stephanie Karikari, and Miss Indonesia, Astrid Yunadi, were the joint winners of the beauty with a purpose category, where contestants can highlight a charity project.
With the scores collated, Miss Puerto Rico topped the leaderboard, ahead of Miss Venezuela, Miss Philippines, Miss Ukraine and Miss Scotland.
The final seven -- chosen by the judges, who included nine former Miss Worlds -- were Miss England, Miss Korea, Miss Philippines, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Scotland, Miss South Africa and Miss Venezuela.
Just before the winner was announced, a message of support from former South African president Nelson Mandela was read out on stage by one of his grandsons, backing their work "empowering young people to be of service to their communities."
The contest's charitable programme, set up 40 years ago, has raised $800 million (580 million euros) to date.
Sarcos's victory means that Venezuela now tops the all-time leaderboard alone with six titles, pulling clear of India and the United Kingdom.
"Winning means everything to me and I hope to take advantage of being a winner in a productive manner," the 61st Miss World said.
"I first and foremost want to help people in need.
"I would like to help people like me. I am an orphan. I would also like to help the elderly and troubled teenagers. As many people as I can."
The pageant was first held for the 1951 Festival of Britain and was staged in London until 1989.
Former contestants include Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry, a 1986 finalist, and 1994 winner Aishwarya Rai, the Indian movie star.
It was announced that the Miss World final will go straight back to China for 2012, this time to Ordos in Inner Mongolia.
"I felt the most gorgeous woman in the world. I was so happy and I wanted to shout, to cry, to stand still and to smile. So many emotions," she told AFP.
"I'm incredibly happy for this moment, for this opportunity and for winning and I'm grateful with my life."
Sarcos, who was brought up in a nunnery after being orphaned aged eight, has a human resources degree and works for a broadcasting company.
Last year's Miss World, Alexandria Mills of the United States, took off her sparkling crown and placed it on her successor's head as Sarcos sat in a shimmering silver throne.
Miss Philippines, Gwendoline Ruais, was named the runner-up, while Miss Puerto Rico, Amanda Perez, came third in the contest, which was back in its home city to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Some 113 beauty queens from Albania to Zimbabwe took their place on the stage at the Earls Court Two auditorium in west London, with the show being broadcast live to an estimated audience of more than one billion viewers in 150 countries.
Around 50 feminists rallied outside, waving placards reading "Objectification won't achieve world peace", "Being a woman is not a competition" and "Sexism is pretty ugly".
A handful were veterans of the infamous 1970 Miss World final protest, when stink bombs were hurled on stage during a noisy demonstration.
Several point-scoring rounds were held over the previous two weeks during the contestants' tour of Britain, with the results revealed on stage and the top 15 going through to the semi-finals.
While beauty remains central to the event, brains, skills and good causes also play a major role. The majority of this year's have degree-level education and can speak at least three languages.
Miss Venezuela topped the interview round; Miss Dominican Republic, Marianly Tejada Burgos, was named the sports champion; home favourite Miss England, Alize Lily Mounter, won beach beauty, the classic swimwear contest, while Miss Kazakhstan, Zhanna Zhumaliyeva, was named top model.
The crowd were played clips from the talent round -- where performers sang, danced and gave piano recitals -- won by Miss Chile, Gabriela Pulgar Luco.
With the scores collated, Miss Puerto Rico topped the leaderboard, ahead of Miss Venezuela, Miss Philippines, Miss Ukraine and Miss Scotland.
The final seven -- chosen by the judges, who included nine former Miss Worlds -- were Miss England, Miss Korea, Miss Philippines, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Scotland, Miss South Africa and Miss Venezuela.
Just before the winner was announced, a message of support from former South African president Nelson Mandela was read out on stage by one of his grandsons, backing their work "empowering young people to be of service to their communities."
The contest's charitable programme, set up 40 years ago, has raised $800 million (580 million euros) to date.
Sarcos's victory means that Venezuela now tops the all-time leaderboard alone with six titles, pulling clear of India and the United Kingdom.
"Winning means everything to me and I hope to take advantage of being a winner in a productive manner," the 61st Miss World said.
"I would like to help people like me. I am an orphan. I would also like to help the elderly and troubled teenagers. As many people as I can."
The pageant was first held for the 1951 Festival of Britain and was staged in London until 1989.
Former contestants include Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry, a 1986 finalist, and 1994 winner Aishwarya Rai, the Indian movie star.
It was announced that the Miss World final will go straight back to China for 2012, this time to Ordos in Inner Mongolia.
London: A 21-year-old human resources graduate from Venezuela won the 2011 Miss World beauty pageant even as India's hope Kanishtha Dhankhar failed to make it to the top 15 at the star-studded event held at London's Earls Court.
Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares currently works for a broadcasting company. The second place went to Philippines while Puerto Rico grabbed the third spot.
The top seven finalists were from Korea, Venezuela, England, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Scotland. India's disappointment came early as Dhankhar failed to grab a spot in the top 15. Actor Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World crown in 2000. Since then no Indian contestant could get the title.
In all, 122 contestants from across the world took part in the pageant. The event was beamed live to 150 countries. Actors Angela Chow Matt Hunter from General Hospital hosted the event.
The Miss World beauty pageant is heading to a conclusion, with its final day at the Earls Court exhibition center in London on Sunday.
A record 122 women will take part in the pageant, and organizers claim an audience of over 1 billion will tune into watch as judges select the most beautiful woman in the world.
The focus this year is on world peace and the love of animals. This event is also set to showcase the United Kingdom as a leading tourist destination, as part of the the buildup to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Among the bevy of beauties in the final showdown, Miss Venezuela apparently is the odds-on favorite to win this year, according to betting pools.
Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos, 21, hails from a large family, as she has 12 siblings. She also has a degree in human resources, and is currently working for a broadcasting company.
Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter, 19, is the second highest-ranked favorite, according to gambling fans.
The winner will spend a year traveling, representing the Miss World organization and its various causes. The current Miss World is Alexandria Mills of the United States.
Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares currently works for a broadcasting company. The second place went to Philippines while Puerto Rico grabbed the third spot.
The top seven finalists were from Korea, Venezuela, England, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Scotland. India's disappointment came early as Dhankhar failed to grab a spot in the top 15. Actor Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World crown in 2000. Since then no Indian contestant could get the title.
Miss World 2011 is due to take place on Sunday November 6 in Earls Court. We have got the odds on the favourites to win this year for all you gambling fans.
The event will be 61st annual Miss World competition and previous winner, Alexandria Mills of the USA, will crown her successor.
As part of the event, the Miss World wannabes travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland between Oct 23 and 27. Here is the best Miss World can offer: scantily clad beauties and betting.
Miss Venezuela, Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colimenares, was crowned the 2011 winner of the Miss World beauty pagean
A record 122 women will take part in the pageant, and organizers claim an audience of over 1 billion will tune into watch as judges select the most beautiful woman in the world.
The focus this year is on world peace and the love of animals. This event is also set to showcase the United Kingdom as a leading tourist destination, as part of the the buildup to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Among the bevy of beauties in the final showdown, Miss Venezuela apparently is the odds-on favorite to win this year, according to betting pools.
Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos, 21, hails from a large family, as she has 12 siblings. She also has a degree in human resources, and is currently working for a broadcasting company.
Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter, 19, is the second highest-ranked favorite, according to gambling fans.
The winner will spend a year traveling, representing the Miss World organization and its various causes. The current Miss World is Alexandria Mills of the United States.
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