12 Facts About Agbani Darego

Agbani Darego was the first black African to win Miss World.

Abonnema-native Darego was born in Lagos to a family as the sixth of eight children.

Agbani Darego attended Bereton Montessori Nursery and Primary School, and at ten was sent to boarding school in a bid to shield her from her mother who battled breast cancer.

Agbani Darego has spoken of how the loss prepared her for tough challenges in the future.

In 2001, Agbani Darego was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.

Contrary to popular belief, Agbani Darego did not replace Valerie Peterside after the latter was dethroned; Peterside had competed in rival pageant Miss Nigeria.

Agbani Darego was the only top ten contestant to wear a modest maillot as opposed to a revealing bikini during the swimsuit competition.

Agbani Darego's victory was widely welcomed in her home country, and her one-year tenure included goodwill trips and scheduled appearances on behalf of the pageant, and an MFR.

Agbani Darego has appeared in Elle, Marie Claire, Allure, Trace, Stitch, Cosmopolitan, and Essence magazines, working with numerous designers including Oscar de la Renta, Marc Bouwer, Tommy Hillfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Gianfranco Ferre.

Agbani Darego has graced the covers of Complete Fashion, Mania, ThisDay Style, Genevieve, True Love, and TW Magazine.

Agbani Darego has judged numerous pageant, fashion and modelling competitions including Miss World 2014, Miss England 2002, Mr Scotland 2002, and Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012 and 2014.

In 2010, she launched a style and fashion reality show Stylogenic on Nigerian television, and three years later announced her denim range, AD by Agbani Darego, which includes jeans, dresses, sunglasses and bags.