Fernandez , an 18-year-old brunette, became the 58th winner of the title in a show broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.

It is the second consecutive year that a contestant from the oil-producing South American country, which is famous for its beauty queens, has won the Miss Universe title.



Venezuela has produced five previous winners.

Fernandez was selected out of five finalists chosen from the total field of 83 contestants.

The first runner-up this year was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz.

The rest of the top five were from Australia, Puerto Rico, and Kosovo.

Fernandez received the Miss Universe crown from last year's winner, also a Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza.

The televised event included musical performances by Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.

Hosts were Billy Bush, co-anchor of Access Hollywood, and Claudia Jordan, former Miss Rhode Island USA who has appeared on several TV shows. Judges include actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

Of the final 10 contestants pageant co-owner Donald Trump said: "I think this is the most beautiful group of women I have ever seen."

"In the old days, you got what you got. Now, Trump picks them. It makes a big difference."

Fernandez takes the crown from last year's winner Dayana Mendoza, also Miss Venezuela, in an apparent first back-to-back claim for the title of Miss Universe.