Raquel Pomplun was named Playboy's 2013 Playmate of the Year on Friday.

Pomplun, 25, the first Mexican-American model to be given the honor, was announced as the winner by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner at a private event held at his renowned Playboy mansion.  

"I can't begin to describe how excited I am to receive this honor and be given the opportunity to represent Playboy as its first Mexican-American Playmate of the Year," Pomplun said in a statement. "Playboy has taught me a side of myself I didn't know before. It's been a year of wonderful surprises!"

She expressed her appreciation for landing the highly coveted title because she wasn't feeling well when she took the photos. She had a 103-degree fever that day.

"Honestly, I'm thinking I'm so grateful that they look OK because I had a fever in these pictures," Pomplun told E! News at the event that unveiled the June 2013 cover she appears on.

Pomplun graces the front of Playboy's June 2013 issue. In additon to having earned the dubious title, she will receive a prize of $100,00 and will get a one-year lease on a 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE, according to Fox News.

Pomplun is a host on two shows- Rockin Rounds on the Blackbelt cable tv channel and Playboy Radio's Playmates Present.  She first appeared in the magazine as the magazine's April 2012 cover model alongside singing heartthrob Bruno Mars for the Sex & Music Issue.

Pomplun was a biochemistry major and is a classically trained ballerina.

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