Agbani Darego became the first black African to win the Miss World crown in 2001
Agbani Darego represented the country of Nigeria at Miss World 2001 on 16th November 2001 at the Super Bowl of Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa. She was the first indigenous African to win Miss World.
The Miss World pageant is one of the longest-serving international beauty pageants in the world. It was created in United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since inception, the pageant has raised billions in aid of charitable causes. Although the competition boarders around beauty, it’s major goal is to merge beauty with purpose, which is the underlying theme of the world’s oldest running international beauty pageant. Every woman desirous of becoming queen had the objective of serving rather than parading in an expensive crown. It is with such heart they go on to help disabled and underprivileged children, basically being a strong, support system for the voiceless in the society.
Born in 1982, Darego hails from a town called Abonnema in the Rivers State area of southern Nigeria. Her full name is Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego. Because of her father’s job she travelled frequently and her mother bought Darego fashionable clothes that she paged through foreign fashion magazines. She was passionate about being a model and making a career out of it since her teenage years but her father wasn’t supportive about her goals.
How fate decided Agbani Darego’s win –
The journey started when Agbani was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, ultimately qualifying her to be the country’s representative in the biggest pageant competitions: Miss Universe and Miss world. First in the order of things was the Miss Universe competition held at Bayamon, Puerto Rico in 2001. Surprisingly Darego emerged as the one of the top 10 finalists and made her mark when she showed up for the swimsuit competition wearing a maillot as opposed to a two-piece swimsuit like the rest of the contestants.
That move solidified her place in the top 10 but most likely shielded her from qualifying for top 5. Having gotten that far in the competition, Agbani went with lessons into the Miss World pageant. As all contestants displayed their best selves, the audience already started noting their favourites and she, without effort made the list. As she grew on the audience, she also captured the attention of the judges.
The final question:
Having battled with 92 other ladies and joining four others namely; Miss Aruba – Zizi Lee, Miss Scotland -Juliet-Jane Horne Miss china PR – Bing Li and Miss Nicaragua – Ligia Cristina Argüello, the ebony queen took her rightful position in the top 5 slot.
Each of the ladies were asked questions that was to determine their fate in the competition and help the judges make a final decision on who truly deserved the crown that evening in Sun City Entertainment centre. Agbani was asked: “In these men’s world, what do you think you can change which men cannot?” She replied,“First of all I entered Miss World competition because I know it is a very charitable organization. In these men’s world If there’s anything I can do and be is to help the less privileged in the society because I really really want to give them as much help I can give. I love helping the needy at whole times and have a great love for humanity that has helped me and promised me to be the best I can be and to help everyone in need.”
After sharing her passion on the Miss World stage, Agbani’s place in the royal chair was sealed. As many watched from several areas of the world, the moment which they had been waiting for finally came. The results came in thus: second runner-up ; Miss Scotland – Juliet-Jane Horne, first runner-up ; Miss Aruba -Zizi Lee and winner Miss Nigeria – Agbani Darego. This meant she was the first native African to emerge winner of the prestigious beauty pageant, dictating history and putting her country Nigeria on the map for good.
