Before she became Miss Universe, McLean competed in Miss World 1991, where she finished in the top 5. In the 1992 Miss Universe pageant, she finished second in the preliminary, right behind Carolina Izsak of Venezuela, who won all three preliminary competitions. Nonetheless, McLean's statuesque beauty, intelligence, warmth and a decent answer to the final question helped clinch the crown over rivals Paola Turbay of Colombia and Madhushri Sapre of India.
In 1992, Michelle founded the Michelle McLean Children's Trust in Namibia which focuses on the education and care of underprivileged children. Michelle was also instrumental in bringing the Miss Universe pageant to her country in 1995. Michelle has since married her longtime boyfriend, Neil Birnbaum. In 1998 Michelle became the second titleholder to receive the Miss Universe Achievement Award; the first being Irene Saez of Venezuela in 1997.
--Wikipedia
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