South Asian

 South Asia

Indrani Rahman won the title of Miss India 1952. Born in Madras as Indrani Bajpai, she comes from a mixed background; her father, Ramlal Balram Bajpai, is an Indian activist and physicist while her American mother, Esther Luella Sherman, is a professional dancer specializing in classical Indian dance, and is popularly known as "Ragini Devi". During her teenage years, Indrani toured with her mother's dance troupe. While on tour in New York, she met Indian architect, Habib Rahman, and the two got married, eventually settling in Calcutta, India, and had a daughter. Now known as Indrani Rahman, she continued studying classical Indian dances. Indrani soon became India's representative in the inaugural Miss Universe pageant in 1952, held in Long Beach, California.

After the pageant, Indrani continued with her career as a dancer in her mother's company.

Maureen Neliya Hingert won the title of Miss Ceylon 1955. Born and raised in Colombo, Maureen comes from a Dutch Burgher family. At the time she won the national title, Maureen was pursuing a nursing degree and had appeared in a number of films, playing minor roles. Maureen is also multilingual; she speaks English, French, Spanish, Tamil and Hindustani. Maureen soon represented Ceylon in the Miss Universe 1955 pageant, held in Long Beach, California. Being Ceylon's first delegate in the pageant, the stunning olive-skinned beauty became a favorite, eventually finishing as 2nd runner-up.

As a runner-up during the pageant, Maureen became a contract actress for a number of American film productions. Maureen soon moved to Los Angeles and acted in several Hollywood films, being credited under the screen name "Jana Davi".

Manel de Silva won the title of Miss Ceylon 1963. Manel was born and raised in Kandy and at the time she won the national title, was attending classes at a convent school. The dusky beauty with long black hair that reaches her hips, soon represented Ceylon in the Miss Universe 1963 pageant, held in Miami, Florida.

Yasmin Daji won the Femina Miss India 1966 pageant. Yasmin hails from Kanpur and at the time she won the national title, was pursuing a medical degree, aspiring to become a surgeon. She soon became India's delegate in the Miss Universe 1966 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Admired for her exotic looks, Yasmin was also notable for wearing the traditional Indian sari for both her national costume and evening gown attires. A favorite during the pageant finals, the stunning Indian beauty eventually finished as 3rd runner-up.

Madhushree Sapre won the Femina Miss India 1992 pageant. Nicknamed "Madhu", she hails from Bombay and at the time she won the national title, recently graduated with a degree in physiology. A model and a track-and-field athlete, Madhu became India's representative in the Miss Universe 1992 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. With her exotic looks and toned figure, Madhu became a favorite during the pageant. After being announced as among the Top 10 semi-finalists, the dusky Indian beauty gave an impressive performance during the pageant finals. Making it to the Top 6 finalists, Madhu topped the interview segment and eventually finished as 2nd runner-up.

After the pageant, Madhu continued her career in the modeling industry and also appeared as an actress in a number of local Indian films and TV shows.

Sushmita Sen won the title of Miss India I during the Femina Miss India 1994 pageant. At the time she won the national title, Sushmita was a college freshman while doing modeling jobs. Hailing from New Delhi, Sushmita speaks Hindi, Bengali and English and also writes poems, aspiring to have a career in acting and writing. Sushmita soon represented India in the Miss Universe 1994 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. After being announced as among the Top 10 semi-finalists, the exotic Indian beauty charmed the audience with her strong stage performance and was noted for her eloquence during the interview portions. Sushmita went on to win the title of Miss Universe 1994, becoming the first titleholder from India.

After her reign as Miss Universe, Sushmita continued her career in modeling. She soon became active in the local Indian entertainment industry as an actress and have starred in many films. From 2010 until 2012, she served as the national director of the I AM She pageant which elects the Indian representative to the Miss Universe pageant.

Noyonita Lodh won the title of Miss Diva Universe 2014. Born and raised in Bangalore, Noyonita is the daughter of an officer in the Indian Air Force. Before winning the national title, Noyonita has been doing modeling jobs while completing a business degree. She soon represented India in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Noted for her exotic looks and vivaciousness, the dusky Indian beauty became a favorite during the pageant. Her national costume, which is an avant garde depiction of Indian royalty, was shortlisted among the Top 5 Best in National Costume. Noyonita was soon announced as among the Top 15 semi-finalists.

Adline Castelino won the title of Miss Diva Universe 2014. Adline was born and raised overseas in Kuwait to Indian parents, who are originally from Karnataka. During her teenage years, she and her family returned to India and settled in Mumbai. Before winning the national title, she was completing her degree in business administration. She was also working as a professional model, having appeared in local fashion shows and advertisements. Adline is also multilingual; she speaks English, Hindi, Kannada and Konkani. She soon became India's delegate in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant held in Hollywood, Florida. She became a top contender during the pageant, being noted for her elegance and strong stage performance. The dusky Indian beauty was announced as among the Top 21 semi-finalists and eventually finished as 3rd runner-up.