Justine Pasek

Yostin Lissette "Justine" Pasek Patiño (born August 29, 1979) is a Ukrainian-born Panamanian model, FAO Goodwill Ambassador, and Miss Universe 2002.

Pasek was born in Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR, the daughter of a Panamanian homemaker and Polish engineer. Affectionately called by her Polish name, "Justyna", she lived in Ukraine for a year, but spent most of her childhood in the village of Wożuczyn near Zamość, Poland. After her mother finished her studies in chemistry, the family moved to Panama.

Before entering the Miss Panama contest in 2001, Pasek worked as a model in television productions and fashion shows. She also planned to complete her degree in environmental engineering in New Zealand with her two younger brothers (Ted and Alvaro), and later work for the Smithsonian Research Center.

After participating in the national contest Señorita Panamá 2001 on August 30, 2001; she earned the title Señorita Panamá Universe and, obtaining the right to represent her country in the 51st edition of the Miss Universe 2002 pageant, was held at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 29, 2002.

Originally the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2002 competition, Pasek became the first woman to assume the title of Miss Universe when the Miss Universe Organization revoked the crown from then reigning titleholder Oxana Fedorova for not fulfilling the duties stipulated in her contract. After traveling to New York City for a modeling assignment, she was notified of these events in the back of a limousine, becoming the first Panamanian Miss Universe.

Pasek was formally crowned Miss Universe 2002 by then pageant co-owner Donald Trump in New York City, and a busy week of press engagements followed. Pasek also received an elaborate Mikimoto Crown worth $250,000 as well as an extensive prize package. As Miss Universe, Pasek represented the Miss Universe Organization. Her "sister" 2002 titleholders were Vanessa Semrow (Miss Teen USA, of Wisconsin ) and Shauntay Hinton (Miss USA, (District of Columbia). A self-described "citizen of the world", Pasek has since traveled to Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, Aruba, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. She championed the cause of HIV/AIDS and established the first HIV/AIDS prevention center in her country. As part of her year-long reign as Miss Universe, she lived in New York City in a riverside apartment provided by the Miss Universe Organization. She worked with the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Centers for Disease Control's "Act Now" campaign.

Pasek relinquished her crown to Dominican Republic's Amelia Vega in the 2003 competition, held in Panama.[6] Having worked as a model since 1996, Pasek has since modeled for Christian Dior, among other fashion campaigns.