Less than one percent separated her from fellow finalist Gilles Marini, but any margin of victory would have been acceptable for Shawn Johnson.

The medal-winning Olympian captured this season's Dancing with the Stars title last night.

“This means the world to me,” an elated Johnson said after taking possession of the show’s mirror-ball trophy. “We worked so hard just to make it to the finals. This is the best.”

Earlier in the evening, all three finalists performed a final routine for the judges, and all three received perfect scores for their efforts. Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani were then voted off, leaving that tandem in the third place.

"This has been, without a doubt the best season ever," said judge Len Goodman. "We've got the three best dancers here in the final."

As for Johnson's victory, Marini was nothing but a great sport., saying:

"I'm so happy for Shawn and Mark. They worked so hard."

Click on the photos above to relive Shawn Johnson's Dancing with the Stars journey!

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.