Last night, in the Capital City of Quito, Ecuador, 20 year-old, Aussie, Jennifer Hawkins was crowned the 2004 Miss Universe. She takes over for Miss Dominican Republic and Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega.

The country of Ecuador, NBC, and Donald Trump, Co-owner and Executive Producer of the Miss Universe Pageant, made this year's competition possible.

Conducting the ceremony was model Daisy Fuentes and television host Billy Bush.

The judges included:

10 Actress, Bo Derek, who years ago was Miss Teen California but lost her crown because she chose surfing over pageant luncheons

The Apprentice Bill Rancic

The Winner of The Today Show's "You Be The Judge Contest" Katie Pritz

Former Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam

Covergirl Spokesmodel & Supermodel Elsa Benitez

President of President of Trump Model Management Jon Tutolo

Procter & Gamble's VP of Global Cosmetic Marketing Canada's Anne Martin

Paris, Milano Top Model, Monique Menniken

Sports Illustrated & International Supermodel, Petra Nemcova

World Champion Race Walker, Jefferson Perez

Multi-Grammy Award-Winner, Emilio Estefan (Gloria's husband)

One judge, Kwame Jackson, the runner-up on the hit U.S. reality show The Apprentice, was not permitted to attend after inappropriately greeting beauty queens he met in the lobby of their hotels.

From behind-the-scenes competitions, the judges narrowed the eighty contestants to fifteen.

The 2004 Miss Universe Top Fifteen Finalists

Puerto Rico's Alba Giselle Reyes Sanios
Norway's Kathrine Sorland
Trinidad & Tobago's Danielle A. Jones
Ecuador's Susana Rivadenetra
India's Tunushree Dutta
Australia's Jennifer Hawkins
Angola's Telma de Jesus Esperanca Sonhi
Jamaica's Christine Straw
Columbia's Catherine Daza Manchola
Switzerland's Bianca Nicole Sissing
Costa Rica's Nancy Solo
Chile's Gabriela Barros
U.S.A.'s Shandi Finnessey
Paraguay's Yanina Gonzales
Mexico's Rosalva Luna

While I have never been one of the hundreds of million of people who have tuned into the Miss Universe pageant before tonight, I have followed the Miss USA Pageant since my Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority daughter, Shelley Marks became Miss Colorado. Last night, the organizers expected the pageant to be seen by 1.5 billion television viewers in 180 countries. 7,500 Ecuadorians and pageant fans from around the world paid hundreds of dollars to be there in person.

The best and only talent show of the night was performed by Gloria Estefan. Singing in Spanish, Estefan looked stunning in a black lace pant suit. She sang a medley of some of her best hits followed later in the program by "I Wish You" from her new album Unwrapped.

Before the pageant, Estefan defended the contest from critics who consider such events frivolous. The truth is winners can bring publicity to important causes, such as helping the poor. Estefan said, "A beautiful woman has very great powers to convince, and we have seen many misses who have done a great job. The new Miss Universe should do a spectacular job helping the needy."

The judges voted on three rounds of competitions: Evening gowns, swimsuits and the answer to one question.

Miss Australia, Jennifer Hawkins

In the evening gown competition, the judges made their decisions based on how well the women carried themselves -- not their dresses. They looked specifically for confidence, elegance and sophistication.

My top four favorites:

Miss Australia's dress — a $25,000 gold creation by Sydney designer Bora — was more like a costume than an evening gown. Her natural beauty carried her.

Jamaica's lime green dress stood out against a sophisticated and unpretentious young woman.

Switzerland wore a stunning gold dress that looked like it was made in India.

Miss Paraguay and Miss Trinidad were also favorites.

My least favorite was Miss Columbia. The other girls were much more natural in the way they carried themselves.

After the evening gown competition, the judges narrowed the finalists from fifteen to ten. The top ten countries represented in the Miss Universe 2004 competition included:

Costa Rica's Nancy Soto (23) is studying at Universidad LatinoAmericana de Ciencia y Tecnologia-Education.

Her interests include: Making new friends and getting to know cultures. Her passion has always been horses.

Trinidad & Tobago's Danielle A. Jones (26) received an M.A. in Communication & Culture from Howard University.

Her interests include: The outdoors & the ocean, as well as turtle watching. Her passion is around setting goals and achieving them.

The United States of America's Shandi Finnessey (25), received a B.S. in Psychology from Lindenwood University.

Her interests include: Piano and violin, meditation and yoga. Counseling and listening are her passions.

Puerto Rico's Alba Giselle Reyes Santos (22), who is studying Natural Sciences and Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico at Cavey.

Her interests include: Science, world events and fashion trends. Ten years from now, she expects to be a doctor. She is fascinated with body chemistry.

Jamaica's Christine Straw (24) who is studying Real Estate at the University of Technology.

Her interests include: Scuba diving, hiking and playing dominos. She loves the outdoors, especially water sports. She also loves to hike.

Paraguay's Yanina Gonzalez (24) who is studying Marketing & Publicity at the American University in Asuncion.

Her interests include: Tennis, volleyball and watching movies. She loves sports including skydiving. She focuses on a healthy and fun lifestyle.

Ecuador's Susanna Rivadeneira (24) who is studying painting and visual arts in Milan.

Her interests include: Painting and modeling. She says "Perfection is something impossible. I think only God is perfect. And I am human just like any other person. And I like being very natural."

Australia's Jennifer Hawkins (20) who has a legal secretarial and office administration certificate.

Her interests include: Surfing, wakeboarding and watching the Australian Ballet. She considers herself a beach girl. She loves to spend her time with her friends and family. She likes to watch football with her father. She also likes reading and watching movies. Hawkins is a model and dancer who choreographs a dance team that tours Australia.

India's Tanushree Dutta (20) who is studying Commerce & Business at Pune University.

Her interests include: Acting, travel and observing people. She is especially close to her family who have been the pillars of support to her.

Columbia's Catherine Daza Manchola (21) who is studying Economics at the Universidad Autonoma de Occidente.

Her interests include: Volunteering with The Funda Amor Foundation. Her experiences have allowed her to reflect and give love more openly.

The second competition was the Swimsuit Competition. All 80 girls were invited to the stage to strut their stuff. Most of the contestants, and all of the Top Ten Finalists, wore the same yellow, orange and blue palm tree patterned bikini by Endless Sun.

Miss Costa Rica, Miss Jamaica, and truly strutting her stuff, Miss Australia, got my vote.

Miss Italy received an award from Miss Congeniality. Miss Photogenic went to Alba Giselle Reyes Santos, Miss Puerto Rico.

After the swimsuit competition, the judges narrowed the finalists from ten to five. In random order The Top Five Miss Universe Finalists included: Paraguay, U.S.A., Puerto Rico, Australia and Trinidad & Tobago.

In the final round of competitions, the women were given thirty seconds to answer one question.

Miss Paraguay was asked "If you could interview any female leader who would it be and why?" Her answer was impossible to hear - even playing TiVo back ten times.

Miss U.S.A. was asked by Miss Puerto Rica "What do you think has been women's greatest contribution to today's world and why?" Looking quizically at her host, she responded, "By far children." She added, "We wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the caregiver, the homemaker, the person who takes care of the home and makes it what it is. Yes, men are great and we need men. But what would it be without women?"

Miss Puerto Rico was asked by Miss Paraguay "Gives us three words that describes you and why?" She "I am very perseverant, sincere and sympathetic. I always work hard at what I do. Even though I have had many obstacles, I am here."

Miss Australia received her question from Miss Universe 2003, "If you could choose what time period and what sex to be, what would you choose and why?" She said, "I have to say this time period because we have as much freedom as we want. And I choose the sex of female because females have a lot to say in today's society. So, I'd say this century, today."

Miss Trinidad & Tobago got her question from Miss USA. It was: "We tend to learn our biggest lessons from our failures. What is one failure in your life that you learned the most about?" She responded: "Good evening Ecuador. When I hit my head on stage at my first fashion show. Here I am now, I learned from it and to overcome it."

And The Envelope Please

The Fourth Runner-up: Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Danielle A. Jones
The Third Runner-up: Miss Paraguay, Yanina Gonzales
The Second Runner-up: Miss Puerto Rico, Alba Giselle Reyes Sanios
The First runner-up: Miss USA, Shandi Finnessey

Miss USA, Shandi Finnessey

If Miss Hawkins is unable to fulfill her duties, Miss Finnessey will be asked to take over as Miss Universe.

Hawkins is the first Australian to wear the crown since Perth's Kerry Anne Wells in 1972.

Along with a lifetime of memories, some of the gifts Jennifer Hawkins won last night include:

A pearl and diamond crown and tiara from the official jeweler, Mikimoto

A $5,000 cash prize and a year's supply of cosmetics from Cover Girl

A $4,000 crystal chandelier the newly designed $3,500 cut crystal winner's trophy from Preciosa

A luxury New York City riverside apartment, during her reign, thanks to Donald Trump

A $10,000 shopping spree from ShopNBC.com

A $45,000 scholarship to the School for Film & Television two-year conservatory program

This past year, Amelia learned about many different cultures and countries. She thanked her family, the Dominican Republic and the Miss Universe Organization for "putting her on a path that most young women only dream about." The nineteen year-old now plans to launch a career as a singer, following in the footsteps of her uncle, Juan Luis Guerra, Latin America's king of merengue music.

After the competition, Donald Trump introduced Hawkins as "the most beautiful Miss Universe I have seen in many, many years."

At home in Sydney, her mother Gail said, "We're all so proud and so excited for her. I just wish I was there to give her a big cuddle. It's really hard to believe. I wonder if it's sunk in with her yet. I don't think she realizes the attention she has gotten here."

Another beauty that deserves to win, after last night: The country of Ecuador. To get a flavor for this rich, diverse land, their islands, and beaches, go to: Ecuador.com

For photos, videos and interviews with all eighty contestants please go to: MissUniverse.com If you have difficulty getting a connection, here are the answers to questions in an interview with Miss Universe 2004:

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

Megan Gale (fashion model/ambassador for Australian tourism to Europe). The typical girl next door, she personifies health and beauty. She has risen to stardom yet maintains her down-to-earth charm.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you (aside from winning your title) and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

The first time I caught a wave standing up on a board. It was such an exhilarating moment. It was like being accepted into the men's club as it is such a male-dominated sport and a fundamental way of life in Newcastle. This also exemplifies my "give it a go" attitude about life, which typifies Australians.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

Presently I am a model and a choreographer, but ultimately I would like to work my way onto the television networks as a presenter. I would like to utilize my contacts and experience from the modeling industry to help leverage a position on television.

List any interesting or unsual jobs you may have had.

I participated as a model in a student designer fashion show that incorporated outrageous clothing to generate a reaction from invited guests.

Describe your childhood home and living conditions. Were you raised with a large family with lots of brothers and sisters?

I was born in Newcastle, a regional city two hours north of Sydney. It is a township with a strong beach culture and a warm family environment. I am the youngest of four children. I look up to my siblings, and they have all influenced me. My parents, who have been happily married for 30 years, have particularly influenced me.

What one word describes you best? Vivacious.

Congratulations Australia and Jennifer Hawkins! Good on ya, mate!!

The thunder from Down Under has won. A spunky, natural, blonde, blue-eyed 5' 11" beauty.

May your coming year be healthy, adventuresome and soulful!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

~Jennifer King

P.S. Shelley, if you're reading, I'm thinking of you.