Israeli woman wins Mrs. World

March1,2005. Mrs. Israel, Sima Behar, won the title of Mrs. World 2005 at the international pageant held at Amby Valley Sahara Lake City near Bombay, India last week. Behar, 28, beat out more than 40 other attractive women from around the world. After her victory was announced, a diamond and ruby studded crown worth $18,000 was placed on her head by last year's winner Suzana Pavadee Vicherut Mcnokroot of Thailand.

In the final round, Behar's was asked what her biggest challenge in the competition had been - her answer "being away from my daughter" won her a standing ovation and clinched the crown. She told the Israeli press that she was "in shock. The amount of support for Israel was tremendous," and noted that her closest friend over the course of the pageant was Mrs. Lebanon.