Sushmita Sen's Miss Universe answer that won the world. On Throwback Thursday
Sushmita Sen became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe pageant in 1994. Her answer in the final round won the hearts of not just the judges but millions of other people as well.
Sushmita Sen is not only a former Miss Universe and an actress, but also a role model who has, in the true sense, inspired millions of women. She exudes confidence and is an epitome of grace and elegance. A single mother to two daughters - Renee and Alisah - Sushmita has never shied away from making bold decisions in life. On her 45th birthday today, we go down memory lane and look back at where it all started: The Miss Universe answer that won her the world.
WINNING MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT IN 1994
A daughter of an Air Force officer, Sushmita Sen was always a disciplined young lady. But participating in a beauty contest came as a surprise to both of her parents, Wing Commander (retired) Shubeer Sen and jewellery designer Subhra Sen. However, the family supported the young girl in her new endeavour. At 19, Sushmita participated in the Miss India contest and defeated everyone's favourite Aishwarya Rai to win the title.
She went on to participate in the Miss Universe pageant held in Manila, Philippines. With her answer in the final round of the contest, Sushmita Sen won millions of hearts and clinched the Miss Universe title.
SUSHMITA'S ANSWER THAT WON HEARTS AT MISS UNIVERSE 1994
On May 21, 1994, Sushmita Sen made history when she became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title. After impressing the judges during the preliminary interview round, Sen made it to Top 10 and then to the Top 6. In the Top 6 Interview Round, Grammy Award-winning singer-actress, Florence LaRue asked her, “If you had the time and money to embark upon a great adventure, what would it be?” To which the actress replied, “Well I think adventure for me is what I enjoy from within me and children are little things that could bring a lot of adventure in your life. If I had the time and the money, I could do something, I wouldn’t say I would do something for the children who are downtrodden, any child is worth its while. I would do something for the children, go out with them and have a great time.”
In the final interview round, she was asked, “What for you is the essence of being a woman?” The actress's reply secured her the Miss Universe title and a place in the hearts of a generation. She answered, "Just being a woman is a gift of God that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother, who is a woman. She shows a man what caring, sharing and loving is all about. That’s the essence of being a woman."
Watch Sushmita Sen answer the final question at Miss Universe 1994 here:
SUSHMITA ADOPTED RENEE AT 24
After winning the Miss Universe title in 1994, Sushmita Sen made her Bollywood debut with 1996 film Dastak, in which she played a victim of stalking. She then went on to do the Tamil action film Ratchagan. Two years later, she came back to Bollywood and starred opposite Salman Khan in Biwi No 1. But it was in 2000 that a major event took place and changed her life. At 24, Sushmita Sen decided to adopt a girl child and become a single parent. The actress became a parent to Renee. She faced many difficulties in the process of adopting her daughter. In an interview she revealed that she had to provide 26 documents along with other affidavits for adoption. She said that her father had to sign off more than half of his life's earnings to prove their intent. Sushmita added that while she was able to adopt a child despite these limitations with the support of her family, there are many people who also want to adopt kids but cannot because they don't have a supportive family.
On Renee's 18th birthday, Sushmita told her that she can know the names of her biological parents as it has been kept in an envelope with the High Court. But Renee didn't want to.
In 2010, Sushmita Sen decided to adopt another girl. This time the adoption was comparatively easier as the court had seen her with her first child. She named her second daughter Alisah. Since she missed seeing Renee grow up in front of her, Sushmita made sure she was there at all major events in Alisah's life and therefore took a break from acting. She dedicated herself completely in bringing up her two daughters.
"In the natural birth, the mother and the child connect through the umbilical cord but in adoption, the mother and the child are connected by this higher power, a connection that you cannot cut off. I have had the privilege of experiencing it twice. To become a mother who has given birth from the heart. I have not missed a day of feeling the joy of motherhood," said Sushmita Sen in an interview, adding, "The wisest decision I made at the age of 24 was to become a mother. It stabilised my life. People think it was a great act of charity and wonderful action but it was self-preservation. It was me protecting myself."
SUSHMITA'S FIGHT WITH ADDISON'S DISEASE
In 2014, Sushmita Sen was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition called Addison's disease. In a video uploaded on YouTube on May 16, 2020, Sushmita opened up about her struggles with Addison's disease, which affects the body's adrenal gland. She said that the diagnosis left her feeling like she "had no fight left" in her. "A fatigued body filled with immense frustration and aggression. The dark circles under my eyes can't even begin to explain the dark times I endured for four long years. To have steroids substitute cortisol and to live with its innumerable side effects took its toll," Sushmita had said.
But Sushmita didn't let the disease win over her. She took to Nunchaku workout training, which helped her strengthen her body. She said, "Enough was enough, had to find a way of strengthening my mind, allowing my body to follow suit. I meditated with Nunchaku. Aggression out, fight back in and pain turned into an art form."
She added, "I healed in time, my adrenal glands woke up, no more steroids, no withdrawals and no autoimmune condition as of 2019."
FINDING LOVE IN ROHMAN SHAWL
After many failed relationships, Sushmita Sen found the love of her life in 15 years younger Kashmiri model Rohman Shawl. Their love story is also not an ordinary one and can give a tough competition to all the millennials. They started talking on a social media platform and soon love blossomed between them. The couple made their relationship Instagram official with a picture of the two in front of the Taj Mahal.
Sushmita Sen and Rohman Shawl make a beautiful couple. They don't shy away from PDA and often share loved-up photos on social media. Rohman shares a strong and close bonding with Renee and Alisah as well.
ALSO READ | When are Sushmita Sen and Rohman Shawl getting married? The answer, straight from the couple
ALSO READ | Sushmita Sen shares throwback video of daughter Alisah: Her love for teaching started early
ALSO READ | Fashion Friday, Teacher’s Day Special: Sushmita Sen to Kareena Kapoor, super stylish teachers of Bollywood