Miss Angola Leila Lopes has won Miss Universe 2011, beating 88 other Miss Universe contestants in a lavish show at Sao Paolo’s Credicard Hall.

The 25-year-old Lopes, a business student by day, edged Miss Ukraine Olesia Stefanko into second place, and was praised by judges for her beauty and intelligence.

She spoke in Portuguese to charm the Brazilian audience (both Brazil and Angola are former Portuguese colonies), and revealed her status as Miss Angola had allowed her to assist various social causes in her country:

“I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I   have to do everything that my country needs,” she said. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.”

Unfortunately, USA didn’t do too well in last night’s contest, hosted by Bravo honcho Andy Cohen and Today show’s Natalie Morales. Miss USA Alyssa Campanella didn’t make it into the Top Ten. Our most recent winner was in 1997.