Zsa Zsa, the ugliest dog in the world died at age 9

Zsa Zsa, an English bulldog who captured the coveted title nine days ago, died in his sleep on Tuesday morning, his owner Megan Brainard told NBC's Today Show.

Zsa Zsa won the ugliest dog world contest of 2018, taking place in San Francisco Bay, a little over a week before crossing the rainbow bridge . She was 9 years old. Brainard said the death of Zsa Zsa was "devastating" and that she and her family continued to treat him, according to the show Today .

With her crooked teeth, tongue and tongue hanging out of her mouth, Zsa Zsa won the competition's judges and won a $ 1,500 award as the winner of the 30th annual contest. Zsa Zsa beat a terrier with dreadlocks named Scamp to win the victory.

Brainard said to Today showed that she drove 30 hours from her home in Anoka, Minn., To give Zsa Zsa the opportunity to participate . in the contest, which is put on every year to raise awareness about the adoption of dogs. Zsa Zsa herself was rescued from a puppy mill and was adopted on PetFinder.com, where Brainard found her, and then named her Zsa Zsa Gabor.

The 15 minutes of Zsa Zsa were extended Brainard brought him on the show Today in June to celebrate his victory.

"She knew that she was special," said Brainard on the show Today . "She never really showed much excitement but yes, she was definitely living after she won."

Zsa Zsa's family held a farewell ceremony for her in their backyard. "We take millions of pictures in my family, so now we have her face everywhere to remind us of her," said Brainard Today .