Sushmita Sen was born on 19th November, 1975 in Hyderabad to Shubeer Sen, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander, and Subhra Sen, a jewelry designer. Sushmita grew up in New Delhi and had plans to pursue Journalism but life had bigger things in store.

At the age of 18, Sushmita Sen won the title of Femina Miss India beating Aishwarya Rai. Sushmita went on to represent India at the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant in Philippines.

Sushmita Sen went on to win the pageant, becoming the first woman from India to win a Miss Universe Pageant. The same year Aishwarya Rai also won the title of Miss World.

After her reign as Miss Universe came to an end, she ventured into acting. She made her debut in Bollywood with ‘Dastak’ in 1996. Her subsequent appearance as Rupali in David Dhawan’s ‘Biwi No. 1’ won her an award in the Best Supporting Actress category. Her career in Bollywood never reached the peak like it did for her competitor Aishwarya Rai. She even ventured into Tollywood. However, even after facing various highs and lows in her career, Sushmita sen is still considered as one of the most popular actresses of the tinsel town today.

In 2000 Sushmita Sen adopted a daughter, Renee, and currently resides in Mumbai, India.