Miss Universe 2008 is Ms. Venezuela Dayana Mendoza

On July 13 2008 in front of nearly one billion viewers worldwide Dayana Mendoza’s
life changed forever when she was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang Vietnam. The 22 year-old former Miss Venezuela was born in Caracas and speaks three languages – Spanish English and Italian.

Dayana Mendoza was discovered at the age of 13 at a local bus stop. Since then she has gained vast experience in catalogue modeling and has worked with prestigious companies like Max Mara and Costume Nacional. Modeling has allowed Dayana to travel the world visiting places like New York Italy Germany France Athens and Spain.

Although Dayana had a successful modeling career her lifelong ambition is to become either an interior designer or work in the field of advertising. About a year ago she began taking classes on interior design to help refine her skills. Whenever she enters a room she can not contain her sudden urge to start rearranging furniture and suggesting color palettes.

Dayana was raised in a very close knit family perhaps the result of sharing a two room home with her mother father uncle grandmother and younger sister. She has proven to be a great champion for the official causes of MISS UNIVERSE®, which include increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues and forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education including the Latino Commission on AIDS Global Health Council and God’s Love We Deliver.

The Miss Universe Organization producers of the Miss UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture.

All photos are Miss Universe property