Claudia Cruz
Encyclopedia
Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodríguez (born February 5, 1986), commonly referred to as Claudia Cruz represented Dominican Republic
in the Miss World
pageant in 2004
.
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 Dominican Republic World 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
.
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
.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
in the Miss World
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
pageant in 2004
Miss World 2004
Miss World 2004, the 54th Miss World pageant was held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre, Sanya, People's Republic of China on December 6, 2004. The 2004 pageant marks the second straight year that Sanya played host of the pageant. Miss World 2003, Rosanna Davison of Ireland crowned her successor María...
.
After representing Bonao
Bonao
Bonao is the capital of Monseñor Nouel province, Dominican Republic. It is located in the center of the country, to the northwest of the national capital Santo Domingo.The city is known as "Villa De Las Hortensias" - the town of hortensias...
and placing only as the Fifth Runner-up in the Miss Dominican Republic 2004 pageant, which was won by Larimar Fiallo
Larimar Fiallo
Larissa del Mar Fiallo Scanlón , commonly referred to as Larimar Fiallo, represented Dominican Republic in the Miss Universe pageant in 2004....
, Cruz decided to take another chance at the new revamped and independent Miss Dominican Republic World 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
María Julia Mantilla
María Julia “Maju” Mantilla García is a Peruvian beauty queen who became the second woman from Peru to be crowned Miss World.-Early life:...
from Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
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
Mariasela Alvarez
Mariasela Margarita Álvarez Lebrón was Miss World 1982 and is currently a television show host and architect from the Dominican Republic. She became the first Dominican woman to win an international beauty title...
has placed higher as she was the winner of Miss World 1982
Miss World 1982
Miss World 1982, the 32nd Miss World pageant, was held on November 18, 1982 in the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK. The winner was Mariasela Álvarez from the Dominican Republic...
.
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
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
.