( CNN ) -- Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World on Sunday in a competition in London . `` South Africa , this is for you , '' she said in an interview after the pageant . `` I 'm so proud of you , and I 'm proud to be your representative . '' Strauss , 22 , inherited the crown from Miss World 2013 , Megan Young of the Philippines . She won the title over runner-up Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar . Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit took third place . Strauss , a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free State , put her studies on hold after being crowned Miss South Africa in March . In her official Miss World 2014 introduction video , she credits former South African President Nelson Mandela with paving the way for her to pursue a career in medicine by creating a democratic South Africa . Strauss said she looked forward to continuing the legacy of Miss World CEO Julia Morley , founder of `` Beauty With a Purpose , '' a nonprofit that supports humanitarian projects of Miss World contestants . Those who participate in a charitable contest or cause through the organization compete for the `` Beauty With a Purpose '' award , winning points toward their final score . The focus on charitable acts helps counter criticism that the pageant promotes superficial images of women through swimsuit competitions and slinky evening gowns . As Miss South Africa , Strauss has promoted projects in women 's rights , health and education , including one to provide menstruation education to schoolgirls in South Africa . What do you think of beauty pageants such as Miss World ? Tell us in the comments .
Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss is crowned Miss World on 22 . Miss Hungary Elizabeth Safrit is crowned runner-up . Miss Elizabeth Safrit States United takes third place .