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Chelsi Smith, Miss Universe 1995, has died at age 45

Tanya Edwards

Former Miss Universe Chelsi Smith, who won the crown representing America as Miss USA, has died, TMZ reports.

Smith was the first woman of African-American descent to win the Miss Texas USA competition. She then went on to earn the title of Miss USA 1995, and eventually headed to Namibia, where she was crowned Miss Universe 1995, making her the first American woman to wear that crown in 15 years.

Her friend and Miss New York USA 1995, Shanna Moakler, took to Instagram to write a touching tribute to her friend.

Alluding to Smith’s reported battle with liver cancer, Moakler wrote, “If it wasn’t for her, her beauty and her energy, her incredible destiny, I wouldn’t even be where I am today. Even when she was sick she was positive and radiant and never stopped laughing.”

View this post on Instagram

Having a hard time writing this. Found out the news of my good friend passing. I really don't know how to express to the world what a funny, loving, smart! She was so fucking smart… to smart for her own good and talented young woman she was. Because her light was so big and so bright, she changed my life. If it wasn't for her, her beauty and her energy, her incredible destiny, I wouldn't even be where I am today. Even when she was sick she was positive and radiant and never stopped laughing. I was crying and she was cheering me up! Thats who she was. Chelsi, I will never forget our long nights talking, singing, fighitng, dreaming… pageantry will never be the same, the world and my heart will not be the same. I will cherish my last conversations with you, I wish I was a better friend or could have done more. I know you are meant for bigger things then this world offered you. Visit me in my dreams queen I will be missing you and all your witty banter. Love love love you. Godspeed.

A post shared by Shanna Moakler (@shannamoakler) on Sep 8, 2018 at 1:54pm PDT

The beauty queen celebrated her friend, writing, “Visit me in my dreams queen I will be missing you and all your witty banter. Love love love you. Godspeed.”

Friends, fans, and other beauty queens celebrated Smith’s life with posts on social media.

Fans flocked to Smith’s Instagram page and shared thoughts on her last post, which was in April of this year.

“I know Heaven is a beautiful place because they’ve got you,” one fan wrote.

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@evinthayerstudios @gceron ❤ 😘 from the Millennium Makers book

A post shared by Chelsi Smith (@chelsi_smith1) on Apr 4, 2018 at 12:55pm PDT

The model also starred in commercials for Hawaiian Tropic, Jantzen, Pontiac, and Venus Swimwear, according to her agency. Yahoo Lifestyle reached out to the agency to confirm details and will update when we hear back.

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