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Fair fame and fortune - From the stage to the screen - these pageant poppies have put their beauty to good use and forged successful careers. Will the newly-crowned Miss World do the same?
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Halle Berry - Halle won Miss Teen All-American in 1985 and Miss Ohio USA in 1986. She went on to be the first runner-up in the 1986 Miss USA pageant. The Oscar-winning actress has gone on to be one of Hollywood's most likeable stars.
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Vanessa Williams - In 1983 Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to win Miss America. After a scandal involving nude photos, Vanessa resigned as Miss America 1984. After dropping a lawsuit against the photographer, she said "The best revenge is success".
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Michelle Pfeiffer - It's no surprise that Michelle is a former beauty queen. At 52 the Dangerous Liaisons actress is still putting women half her age to shame. Michelle entered and won the Miss Orange County Beauty Pageant in 1978.
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Michelle McLean - Michelle was crowned Miss Universe in 1992 when she respresented Namibia in the competition. The lovely, lanky lady is a well-known television presenter and MC in South Africa. She's also started a number of charity organisations.
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Aishwarya Rai - The Bollywood beauty was crowned Miss World in 1994. She's since gone on to star in many Bollywood and Hollywood movies, as well as model for the likes of beauty house L'Oreal.
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Eva Longoria - While studying, Eva won the title of Miss Corpus Christi, USA in 1998. Eva started out her career has a high-profile model, but in 2004 she scored her most influential acting role as Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives.
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Delta Burke - In 1974, Delta won the Miss Florida title. But you'll know her as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the 80s sitcom, Designing Women.
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Oprah Winfrey - In 1971, the talk show host won Miss Black Tennessee and Miss Fire Prevention. We're not sure what that's about either. We don't really need to detail what she's famous for these days. If you don't know Oprah, check your pulse.
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Sarah Palin - 1981's Miss Wasilla. In that year's Miss Alaska Pageant, Sarah was voted Miss Congeniality. In 2008 Sarah became a worldwide name as she was named the US Republican Vice-President candidate in that year's election.
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