Miss Universe 2008

Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada, was crowned as the Miss Universe 2008 in the 57th Annual Miss Universe Competition held at the Crown Convention Centre on July 14, 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Her life changed forever when she was crowned the title Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang Vietnam.

Born on June 1st 1986 in Caracas, Venezuela, Mendoza’s interest includes: design, photography and wave surfing. She speaks three languages- Spanish, English and Italian. She gained vast experience in catalogue modeling and has worked with prestigious other companies. Her profession made her to travel the world visiting places like New York, Italy, Germany, France, Athens & Spain.

Eventhough Mendoza had a successful modeling career her lifelong ambition is to become either an interior designer or work in the field of advertising.

Dayana was raised in a very close knit family perhaps the result of sharing a two room home with her mother, father, uncle, grandmother & younger sister. She has proven to be a great champion for the official causes of Miss Universe which includes 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.

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori crowned her with a tiara worth 120,000 U.S. dollars. Her prize package includes cash, a year contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free, prestigious New York City flat, luxury apartment and a gift bag stuffed with designer shoes, dresses and beauty products, a $100,000 stipend for a 2-year course at the New York Film Academy and free access to famous fashion houses and beauty parlors. Mendoza will spend her yearlong reign traveling the world to lecture on humanitarian issues and to promote education regarding HIV/AIDS.

As of January 2009, Dayana as Miss Universe has traveled to Indonesia, Aruba, Venezuela, Singapore, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Spain, Italy, France, Dubai and Nicaragua.