Miss World: Indian Women Who Brought Home The Crown

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Miss World is one of the big four international beauty pageants in the world and the oldest running. It has a long history of 68 years and follows the motto- Beauty with a Purpose. Our country has its own share of exceptional women. The Beauty with Brains- who awe everyone around them, inspire them and stand for what they think is right. What better proof of that than the fact that India has won the Miss World Crown six times!

Today’s article is about those six women who made the nation proud, who brought home the Crown –

1966- REITA FARIA

First Asian Woman to bag the Miss World Crown, Reita Faria was just 23 during the time. But that’s not her only first- Reita was also the first Miss World winner to qualify as a physician. If that’s not a true beauty with brains, no one would fit the bill ever. 1966 was really an exceptional year for her- she became Miss Bombay, Eve’s Weekly Miss India and finally Miss World, beating 51 participants from across the globe.

She was also chosen for Best in Swimsuit and Best Eveningwear as she dazzled everyone in her saree. And though she received numerous offers for modeling and acting, she chose to concentrate on her medical studies.

1994- AISHWARYA RAI

One of the most loved stars of the nation, this blue-eyed beauty won the Crown at the age of 22. Numerous times after that she has been hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world and has won accolades left and right due to her talent and hard work. Not only dozens of film-related awards, having created a place for herself in both Bollywood and regional cinema, but she was bestowed a Padma Shri in 2009 by the Government of India as well!

1997- DIANA HAYDEN

In 1997, then 24-year-old Diana not only won the crown but three subtitles as well- the only Miss World Winner to do so. She was chosen for Miss World Asia and Oceania, Miss Photogenic and even Spectacular Swimwear. A lady who is beautiful, confident and talented- she dedicated many a tears to theatre and dramatic arts. Diana is a writer as well and her book ‘A Beautiful Truth’ was released in 2012.

1999- YUKTA MOOKHEY

Another Miss World Winner who was also crowned as Miss Asia and Oceania, Yukta Mookhey was in her early 20’s at the time. She was also chosen as Miss Photogenic. Apart from her career in Entertainment Industry, Yukta is a social worker as well. She works mainly for people suffering from HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, and Thalassemia. This talented beauty also holds a diploma in Computer Science and has studied Classical music for three years.

2000- PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Everyone knows about this ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ and her dozens of achievements but for the sake of our word count, we’ll list a few here. National Award Winning actress with multiple Filmfares, Padma Shri recipient of 2016 and one of the ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ according to Forbes- Priyanka is the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador representing South Asia as well.

It’s been 20 years since she started and what a journey it has been! She is a singer as well and a film producer. This one actually defines the term ‘Empowered Women’ as she never shies away from speaking her mind, whether in her own country or a place on the other side of the world. A fashion icon who is confident in her own abilities- she shines regardless of where she is.

2017- MANUSHI CHILLAR

The then 20-year old who ended the ‘crown drought’ for India spanning 17 years! Manushi Chillar is a true Beauty with Brains. She also won the ‘Beauty with a purpose’ title along with Miss World Crown. The 22-year-old is currently pursuing a medical degree and is about to make her Bollywood debut with the movie ‘Prithviraj’ alongside Akshay Kumar later this year.