Zsa Zsa, World's Ugliest Dog, dies less than a month after winning title

Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog owned by Megan Brainard, stands onstage after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, is hugged by owner Megan Brainard after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Megan Brainard, center, reacts after her dog Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, bottom, is announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Martha, a Neopolitan Mastiff who won the 2017 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, stands onstage before this year's winner was announced at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wild Thang, a Pekingese, stands onstage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Josie, a Chinese Crested mix, is checked by judges Debbie Abrams, right, and Jo Ling Kent. Josie finished third in the contest. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Himisaboo, Chinese Crested and Dachshund mix, walks onstage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, is carried by owner Megan Brainard during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. Zsa Zsa won the contest. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Mrs. Kravitz, a Chihuahua, stands in front of judge Brian Sobel during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Mrs. Kravitz, a Chihuahua, runs on stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wild Thang, a Pekingese, stands on stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Meatloaf, a bulldog mix, walks onstage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. The dogs walk down a red carpet and are evaluated by a panel of judges. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, walks onstage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. Zsa Zsa won the contest. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Tee Tee, a chihuahua, is carried on stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Jeff Chiu/APYvonne Morones carries Scamp during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Rascal Deux is held by owner Dane Andrew before competing in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. The winner takes home $1,500. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

July 12, 2018 at 12:06 a.m. UTC

By Lauren Padgett, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

ANOKA, Minn. — Zsa Zsa, a 9-year-old English bulldog, has died just weeks after winning the 2018 World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

Megan Brainard, Zsa Zsa's owner, told NBC's "Today" show that Zsa Zsa died in her sleep on Tuesday. She said Zsa Zsa was staying with her father. He discovered she died when he woke up in the morning.

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Zsa Zsa won the annual contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California on June 23.

The World’s Ugliest Dog contest is meant to help raise awareness for dog adoption, to show that all animals are worthy of love.

Other contestants in the 2018 contest included a blackhead-covered Chinese crested-Dachshund mutt, a bulldog mix with excess wrinkly skin and a Pekingese named Wild Thang.

With her floppy tongue, crooked teeth and pink manicure, Zsa Zsa wowed the judges and took home the trophy and $1,500 prize.

Zsa Zsa’s hanging tongue came from a pronounced underbite and crooked upper teeth.

She had a rough early life, spending five years in a puppy mill in Missouri before she was rescued.

Brainard said Zsa Zsa never really showed much excitement, but that she knew she was special.

Brainard said she, her husband Jesse and their 15-month-old daughter Mareslie, held a special memorial for Zsa Zsa.

"I picked Zsa Zsa up and took her outside and laid her down in the grass. We were all saying our goodbyes and Mareslie went right over and gave her a kiss," Brainard said on the "Today" show. "It was sweet. She was waving at her."