South African beauty Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is the reigning Miss Universe

South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters walked away with the crown, ending a nearly four-decade-long jinx for her country in one of the world's biggest pageants.

South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters walked away with the crown, ending a nearly four-decade long jinx for her country in one of the world's biggest pageants. IN PIC: Former Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere, right, crowns new Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Pet 

The world welcomes 22 year old, business graduate from Western Cape Province as the new Miss Universe. (Photo: Twitter/Miss Universe)

Twitter hailed the new beauty queen and congratulations came flooding . IN PIC: A poster welcoming Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters to the sisterhood of beauty queens. (Photo: Twitter/Miss Universe)

From left, final five finalists Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett, Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp, Miss Venezuela Keysi Sayago and Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters stand on stage at the Miss Universe pageant. (Photo: AP)

The final three contestants Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, and Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett wait for the winner to be announced.(Photo: AP)

Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, left, reacts as she was announced as the new Miss Universe at the Miss Universe pageant. Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, right, is first runner-up.(Photo: AP)

In the question-answer round Miss South Africa was asked 'which quality in yourself are you most proud of and how will you apply that quality to your time as Miss Universe?' her reply was confidence, and overcoming fear through that confidence is something Miss Universe is capable of and thats what she is. IN PIC: Former Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere, right, crowns new Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.(Photo: AP)

Winner Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters waves after she was announced as the new Miss Universe 2017.(Photo: AP)

An advocate of equal pay for women in all industries, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is aspiring to be an actress. IN PIC: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters cries after she was announced as the winner. (Photo: AP)