Winehouse beat Beyonce, Foo Fighters, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake to take home the prestigious award, which she dedicated to "my Blake, my incarcerated Blake, and for London, this is for London."
Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil is currently awaiting trial on assault and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice charges.
Wineshouse, who performed via satellite from London, earlier picked up awards for song of the year, best new artist, best female pop vocalist and best pop vocal album for her single "Rehab" and the album "Back to Black."
Winehouse, who was admitted to a drug rehabilitation clinic in Britain last month, was initially refused a US visa to travel to Los Angeles to perform at the show, and was only given the green light by US authorities on Friday.
By that point it was too late for the 24-year-old singer to make the trip to California, her publicist said.
The singer-songwriter has rarely been out of the tabloid headlines in recent months following a reported drug overdose, a string of canceled concerts and turbulent private life.
Critically acclaimed, Winehouse's hit "Rehab" -- with its lyrics "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, no, no, no" -- has become a signature tune for her very public battle with her demons.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2008