Harnaaz Sandhu is the 12th Indian to win a big beauty pageant. Here’s a look back at the others

Harnaaz Sandhu is the third Indian to be crowned Miss Universe. Sushmita Sen won the pageant in 1994, and Lara Dutta Bhupathi bagged the title in 2000.

ThePrint Team
13 December, 2021 06:34 pm IST

Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021 | Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Twenty-one years after an Indian last bagged the title, actor-model Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 Monday. The 70th edition of the Miss Universe pageant was held in Eilat, Israel.

Sandhu is pursuing a Master’s degree in public administration. She succeeds Andrea Meza of Mexico, who won the pageant in 2020.

This brings India’s tally of victories at different international beauty pageants to 12. Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe in 1994, and Lara Dutta Bhupathi bagged the title in 2000.

On the Miss World platform, Reita Faria won in 1966, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 1994, Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999, Priyanka Chopra Jonas in 2000, and Manushi Chhillar in 2017.

Indians also won the Asia Pacific beauty pageant three times: Zeenat Aman in 1970, Tara Fonseca in 1973, and Dia Mirza in 2000.

Take a stroll down memory lane with these snaps of the victors in their crowns over the years.