Tuesday, May 31 2005 13:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangkok: Blue-eyed Canadian brunette Natalie Glebova was today (May 31, 2005) crowned Miss Universe 2005 in the Thai capital in the 54th annual pageant.

The model and motivational speaker from Toronto was chosen from five finalists - the four others from Latin America - who were selected to answer random questions onstage in the final round of the competition.

The 12-judge panel chose beauties from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Canada for the final round.

Glebova, 23, was picked over runner-up Cynthia Olavarria of Puerto Rico after answering a final question about what she considered the biggest challenge of her life.

"I always try to maintain a positive outlook on life," she said, adding that remaining optimistic was most challenging.

Earlier, judges narrowed the field of 81 contestants, including Amrita Thapar from India, to 15, then 10 during the competition as the Miss Universe hopefuls modelled evening gowns and swimsuits.

Earlier, last year's title winner Jennifer Hawkins of Australia described her achievement as a fairy tale-like experience. But she said her later work publicising humanitarian projects underscored the real-world responsibilities that come with the crown.

Thailand hopes that hosting the pageant will boost the country's tourism sector, which was badly hurt by last December's tsunami. It estimates that the event and related activities will generate more than $ 54.6 million of revenue.