Entertainment

South Africa's Rolene Strauss named Miss World 2014

/ CBS/AP

South Africa's Rolene Strauss has been named the winner of the Miss World 2014 competition in a London finale televised in many parts of the world.

"South Africa, this is for you," Strauss said after her win. "I'm so proud of you and I'm proud to be your representative."

Strauss says she has a "passion for women's rights, health and education."

Edina Kulcsar of Hungary was the runner-up and Elizabeth Safrit of the United States took third place.

Miss South Africa and the 2014 Miss World, Rolene Strauss, center, poses in her seat after being crowned next to first runner-up Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar, left, and second runner-up Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit, right, during the grand final of the Miss World 2014 pageant in London on Dec.14, 2014. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

The winners were announced Sunday after a lengthy competition involving contestants from more than 120 countries.

Each had won the right to represent their country in a series of local and regional competitions.

This year's contest was marred by the murder last month of Miss Honduras and her sister in that country.

The first Miss World contest was held 63 years ago in Britain.

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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