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Mirror Magazine

Investigator turned beauty queen
Oxana Fedorova's victory - a first Miss Universe crown for Russia - led nationwide newscasts last week. They juxtaposed images of her in a white toga-like gown at the pageant in Puerto Rico with shots of her firing weapons with perfectly manicured nails and walking police academy halls, jet hair flowing over her drab green uniform.

It also provided the latest boon for Russia's second city, the hometown of President Vladimir Putin, just days after it enjoyed a visit by U.S. President George W. Bush.

Russian media reported that Putin - a former KGB agent who rose to power on a tough, law-and-order platform - has expressed his approval of the glamorous police lieutenant.

One of the most prominent images on Russian newscasts that Thursday was of Fedorova sitting in her office next to a large portrait of the popular Putin. But she insists she has no connection to the president.

Fedorova's biggest fan base is among police colleagues.

After graduating from a police academy in the northwestern Russian city of Pskov, she worked as an investigator and is now seeking a graduate degree at the St. Petersburg Police Academy in civil law. Her dissertation is on regulating privacy and security activities, according to Yevgeny Protsenko, head of the department where she studies and lectures.

"All her students liked her," he said. "We had big hopes for her victory, because she is such a purposeful, persistent and charming girl."

Vladimir Salnikov, head of the Interior Ministry University, proudly read excerpts from her school records on Russia's NTV television: "Physically in good condition. Knows the rules for maintaining and firing weapons. Knows how to keep state secrets."

On RTR television, Salnikov boasted about her speed at taking apart and assembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In an interview last year, Fedorova called firing weapons a favourite pastime.

In explaining her choice of profession, Fedorova said in the interview: "In Russia, a woman should be not only beautiful but also know how to stand up for herself. This profession gives me confidence, teaches purposefulness and discipline."

She added, however, "In a family, I prefer to follow the old tradition when a man is the head of it."

Vera Petrova, a 76-year-old St. Petersburg pensioner, was elated at Russia's victory.

"I always care for my city, and it is such a good feeling to know that the most beautiful girl comes from St. Petersburg," she said.

The 5-foot-11 (1.80-metre) Fedorova takes home prizes worth about dollars 250,000 in addition to promotional contracts and a two-year scholarship to The School for Film and Television in New York.

She also gets to spend a year in New York on a salary - sure to be better than the 100 dollars a month many Russian police officers make - and is provided with a luxury riverside apartment.

She has said she wants to get involved in children's causes and clean up the environment in the Baltic Sea region.

Her favourite literary genre? Detective novels, of course.

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