Did you know Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters nearly died before making it to the pageant?

Miss South Africa was kidnapped by three armed men but fought them off

You might have been hearing Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters' name quite often for the past few days. The 22-year-old South African beauty was crowned Miss Universe 2017 on November 27, beating out Columbia's Laura Gonzalez and snatching the much-coveted title from Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere.

Congratulations to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, the winner of the 2017 #MissUniverse competition! pic.twitter.com/JYuQYc3Lvo

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 27, 2017

But did you know that Demi-Leigh almost didn't make it to the competition in Las Vegas last week? Hollywood Life has just reported that the budding model was carjacked at gunpoint by three men in Johannesburg back in April - just one month after becoming Miss South Africa!

Fortunately, beauty pageants aren't the only field where Demi-Leigh shines. A self-defense trainer, she managed to thwart her assailants by punching one of the men in the throat and making a quick getaway from the attempted kidnapping.

PHOTO:FILE

“I saw them approaching me, three to my left and another on the other side, and I knew by their eyes what they were coming to do. I was petrified but prepared for what was coming,” Demi-Leight shared. “I had at least three guns pointed at me. I climbed out of the car but they told me to climb back in because I was coming with them."

She continued, "He was dazed [after being punched] and pushed me into the car. I forced my way out and ran as fast as I could into traffic to get help.”



Phew! Talk about a close call...It’s unspeakable to think of what could have happened that day if Demi-Leigh hadn't been so calm and collected during the attack.

But all is well that ends well. This incident in particular inspired Demi-Leigh to teach other women how to protect themselves if faced with such a situation ever. The initiative is her first project after winning the crown as well.

Newly crowed @MissUniverse @DemiLeighNP's first initiative after winning the crown: Launching a campaign to teach women self-defense. #CheddarLIVE #Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/HWnJEHa70n

— Cheddar (@cheddar) November 30, 2017

Now that she has become Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh will be spending the coming year in a luxury apartment in New York City, receiving a hefty salary to help her carry out her duties under the title. She’ll also pursue the goals she has outlined in her platform. The recent college grad, who holds a degree in Business Management, wants to promote equal pay for women and we've got no doubts that she can do it!

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