Sushmita Sen

November 19, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Sushmita Sen, an Indian actress and model, was born on November 19, 1975. She was chosen as Miss Universe in 1994. She won her first major acting award in 2000 for her performance in the comedy “Biwi No. 1.” She became extremely popular in Bollywood in the 2000s as an A-list actress. Sen is a feminist icon, a motivational speaker, and an active philanthropist. Join us in wishing her the best on her birthday with a glimpse into her illustrious life.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Sushmita Shubeer Sen

Nickname:

Sush, Titu

Birth date:

November 19, 1975

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 7"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$10 million

Background

Sushmita Sen was born on November 19, 1975, in Hyderabad, India to Shubeer Sen (her father), a former Force Wing Commander, and Subhra Sen (her mother), a jewelry designer. She has a younger sister and brother (Neelam and Rajeev, respectively). She studied at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute in New Delhi and graduated from St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad. In 1994, at the age of 18, she won ‘Femina Miss India Universe’ which qualified her to join the Miss Universe pageant, which she won that same year.

Sen made her debut in Bollywood in the film “Dastak” in 1996 followed by a starring role in the Tamil film “Ratchagan” in 1997. It was her role in the comedy “Biwi No.1” (1999) that won her first Filmfare nomination and subsequent award for Best Supporting Actress. She completed 25 films over the next decade including “Aankhen” (2002) for which she received critical acclaim. “Main Hoon Na” (2004) was her biggest success. She also starred in a remake of the comedy “Cactus Flower” titled “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?” (2005). In 2015, Sen starred in her first Bengali role in the drama “Nirbaak.” She has most recently appeared in the title role in two seasons of the Indian crime-thriller “Aarya” (2020 to 2021).

She has been praised for her contributions to feminism, social justice, and community welfare. She was bestowed the Mother Teresa Award for social justice in 2013, the Woman of Substance Award in 2018, and the Champions of Change National Award for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment in 2021. Sen has been the face of brands and products from every industry you can think of such as Tag Heuer, Thumbs Up, and Epson. She is currently in a relationship with businessman and cricket administrator Lalit Modi.

Career timeline

1994

She is Crowned Miss Universe

Sen wins the prestigious and much-coveted Miss Universe title.

1996

Her Bollywood Film Debut

She makes her debut in Bollywood in the film “Dastak.”

2000

She Wins Four Awards

She wins the Filmfare, Star Screen, I.I.F.A., and Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress for “Biwi No.1.”

2013

An Award in Philanthropy

She wins the Mother Teresa Award for social justice.

2004

Her Biggest Commercial Success

Sen stars alongside Shah Rukh Khan in “Main Hoon Na” which becomes her biggest commercial success.

2020

She Stars in a Crime Show

She is cast in the title role in the Indian crime-thriller streaming series “Aarya.”

Why We Love Sushmita Sen

She is an independent woman
The actress recently posted, “I dig deeper than Gold and I’ve always (famously) preferred Diamonds! And yes I still buy them myself!” Sen is an independent woman whose success in her professional and personal life depends on her determination to make things work.
She is a devoted mother
When Sen decided to adopt a child at the age of 24, it raised eyebrows in Bollywood. But she couldn’t care less. She wanted to give a child a home and did not feel the need to wait for marriage. She adopted another daughter 10 years later — she is now a happy mother of two and an example for all.
She is a humanitarian and an activist
Sen has never been afraid to speak up for what she believes in. She is a feminist who continues to inspire women around the globe and a humanitarian involved in many charitable causes. She is a patron of Procter & Gamble’s Project Shiksha, the I AM Foundation, Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, and the Bal Asha Trust.

5 Surprising Facts

The first Indian Miss Universe
Sen is the first Indian to win the title of Miss Universe.
Her mother designed her pageant dress
For the final round of the Miss Universe pageant, Sen wore a dress designed by her mother and stitched by a tailor from an Indian local market.
Her English proficiency
She could not speak English properly till she was 16 years old.
Nominations for two films
In 2000, she was nominated for best-supporting actress honors for two films in three different awards ceremonies.
She has an autoimmune disorder
In 2014, she was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, an autoimmune disorder.