Miss Angola Wins Miss Universe Pageant

Miss Angola Leila Lopes reacts after being named Miss Universe 2011, before being crowned at the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday Sept. 12, 2011.

Freshly-crowned Miss Universe Leila Lopes hopes her victory will allow her to assist her native Angola further escape its history of war and impoverishment and said she plans to focus on combatting HIV around the globe.

Speaking in a timid voice early Tuesday shortly after taking the crown in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the 25-year-old Lopes said that “as Miss Angola I’ve already done a lot to help my people.” Read more