Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen on Winning 30 Years Ago

by Alexa Villano
May 21, 2024

Sushmita Sen, now a mom of two adopted children, recalls the moment she won the title of Miss Universe in Manila 30 years ago.

For Sushmita Sen, May 21, 1994, will forever be a special memory. She won the title of Miss Universe in Manila, making history as the first Indian to win the title.

The beauty queen, Bollywood actress, and mom of two recalled the moment in a photo of her and a little girl she shared on Instagram. “This little girl, [whom] I met in an orphanage, taught an 18-year-old me, life’s most innocent yet profound lessons, ones that I live by to this day,” she wrote. “This captured moment is 30 years old today as is India’s first ever Victory at Miss Universe.”

She paid tribute to India whom she wrote as her “greatest identity and strength” and the Philippines for their “unending love and belonging,” after 30 years and counting. She also made a special mention of her co-candidate Carolina Gomez of Colombia, whom she is in touch up to today.

“To all my loved fans, friends, family, and well-wishers around the world…know that each one of you has made a difference to my life and inspired me in ways you may never know!! I feel the love! Thank you!!! WHAT AN HONOUR!!! Here’s to the next 30.”

Life after Miss Universe

Sushmita remains a prominent figure in India, appearing in several Bollywood films and shows. She also championed adopting children when she took on her two daughters Renee and Alisah.

In a report in 2023, Sushmita spoke about the misconceptions of being a single working mom to her daughters. “There is an imbalance if they grow up without a father. Fathers are important but like everything else in life, you don’t miss what you never had. So, the concept is different,” she said.

Sushmita visited the Philippines in 2017 where she was a judge in the Miss Universe pageant. Iris Mittenaere of France won that year.