AFRICANA – Agbani Darego (Miss World)

Miss Agbani Darego, an 18-year-old Nigerian computer science student became the first black African to win the Miss World pageant held in Sun City, South Africa. Out of 93 contestants from all over the world, the chances of an African being crowned Miss World were seen as pretty slim according to oddsmakers. The contest’s official bookmaker rated Darego a long-shot at 66-1.

She exclaimed the slogan “Black is Beautiful” upon winning the Miss World 2001 title in Sun City, South Africa. She can now be seen alongside A-listers such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vanessa Williams, Natalie Imbruglia, Laetitia Casta and Beyoncé as a L’Oreal spokesperson.