Miss World 2014: Beauty contest winners of last ten years

The 64th annual Miss World pageant final will take place in London on 14 December, and the excitement is brewing up.

At the end of the extravagant show, one of the 125 contestants will be crowned Miss World 2014 by last year's winner, Megan Young of the Philippines.

Young recalled her crowning moment: "The reaction from my country and the support I received was completely out of this world and beyond my wildest imaginations. My friends videotaped their reactions to my crowning and all tuned in to watch the finals. I am so proud that because of my crowning I was able to bring attention to the Philippines and I am so honored that I am able to have inspired my countrymen to achieve their dreams."

The Miss World contest is one of the oldest international beauty pageants and was first created in the UK in 1951 by Eric Morley. The original contest was introduced as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations.

In 1951, 26 women competed for the crown, with Sweden's Kiki Haakonson named the first Miss World. Throughout the 1950s, the swimsuit outfits caught attention from the public. Within a few years, it garnered a global audience when it was televised by the BBC from 1959 to 1979 and then Thames Television until 1988. In 1970, the competition hosted by Bob Hope was the single most-watched show of the year in Britain.

Throughout the 1950s, the swimsuit outfits caught attention from the public. Within a few years, it garnered a global audience when it was televised by the BBC from 1959 to 1979 and then Thames Television until 1988. In 1970, the competition hosted by Bob Hope was the single most-watched show of the year in Britain.

In 1970, the competition hosted by Bob Hope was the single most-watched show of the year in Britain.

Miss World contestants compete in various categories such as top model, sports, multimedia, beach fashion, and Beauty with a Purpose. According to the tradition, the winner will spend the winning year in London and travelling to represent the Miss World Organisation (MWO) and its causes.

Scroll down to take a look at the beauty contest winners of last 10 years.