Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodríguez (born February 5, 1986, in
Bonao) is a
Dominican actress, tv host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who represented her
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...
at the
Miss World 2004 pageant.
After representing
Bonao and placing only as the fifth runner-up in the
Miss Dominican Republic 2004 pageant, which was won by
Larimar Fiallo, Cruz decided to take another chance at the new revamped and independent
Miss Mundo Dominicana contest. For the first time ever the contest would be a reality show, the semifinalists being narrowed down by judges and the finalists and winners based on public vote. Having received 66% of the votes, Claudia was named winner on October 10, 2004, only a month before departure to the contest. Despite the lack of time to prepare herself for the Miss World pageant, she won the title of Continental Queen of the Caribbean and finished as the first runner-up to the eventual winner,
María Julia Mantilla from
Peru
Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...
.
Cruz is the first Dominican beauty queen to have been elected by public vote. She is also the second-highest placed Dominican ever in the Miss World contest as she placed second, only
Mariasela Álvarez has placed higher as she was the winner of
Miss World 1982.
Cruz crowned her successor Elisa Abreu, on July 10, 2005.
Claudia has a sister, sports reporter Carolina Cruz de Martínez, who is married to the famous Dominican pitcher
Pedro Martínez.
Claudia converted to
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
.
External links
Claudia Cruz Official WebsiteMiss World
1986 births
Living people
People from Bonao
Miss Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic beauty pageant winners
Miss World 2004 delegates
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