Garnering the top prize in the pageant community, Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino was crowned as Miss World 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday (December 12).

Looking absolutely stunning in a white-lace evening gown, the 23-year-old administrative clerk was overcome with emotion as the announcement was made - covering her mouth as her jaw dropped in awe.

María Isabel Arrieta Gálvez, always called Maribel, was a remarkable young woman, and, as several people commented to me, undoubtedly "the most beautiful girl in El Salvador." There is evidence to back that up. In 1953 she was chosen "Miss Latin America" from among 43 contestants and rode a float in Pasadena's Rose Parade. Then in 1955 Maribel represented her country as "Miss El Salvador" at the "Miss Universe" competition in Long Beach, California. She came in second to the entrant from Sweden, Hillevi Rombin.1 Maribel was a national celebrity when she returned to El Salvador after the competition, and a considerable crowd, including Enrique Alvarez and his brother Ernesto, was on hand to meet her at the airport.