Karolina Bielawska, a 23-year-old business student, received the crown from the previous Miss World, Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh.

The new Miss World said she would remember the “amazing” pageant “for the rest of my life.”

It is the second Miss World title for Poland, after Aneta Kręglicka was named the most beautiful woman on the planet in 1989.

The 70th global beauty event had been due to take place in December 2021, but was postponed at the last minute after several contestants tested positive for Covid-19.

In solidarity with Ukraine, which is fighting off a Russian invasion, the 40 finalists in Puerto Rico walked across the stage holding candles.

Reportedly, 17 people, including the contestants and crew of the organization contracted the coronavirus. These contestants also include India’s Manasa Varanasi, Indonesia’s Carla Yules and Malaysia’s Lavanya SIvaji among others. The Miss World Organisation announced the news of the COVID-19 outbreak which led to the postponement of the show. The organisation released an official statement via their social media.

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The official statement read, “Miss World 2021 temporarily postpones global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico due to health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and general public. The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days.”

 “As of yesterday, additional safety measures were implemented in the best interest of the contestants, production team and spectators, understanding the event increased risks on the stage and in the dressing room. However, after additional positive cases were confirmed this morning after consulting with health officials and experts, the postponement decision was made. The next step according to the medical experts is immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing according to best practices in situations like this. Once and only when contestants and staff are cleared by health officials and advisors, will contestants and related staff return to their home countries.” they added.

Julia Morley, Miss World chairman, also addressed the situation to share, “We are very much looking forward to the return of our contestants, (who we have grown to know and love), to compete for the Miss World crown.” After meeting with the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event and discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the decision was made by the organizers of the event to postpone the globally broadcast finale at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot to be held within the next 90 days.