South Asian Overseas

 South Asia Overseas

Many people of South Asian heritage have made their home overseas across different countries around the world. Let’s get to know some of overseas South Asian beauties who have represented their nations in Miss Universe. These overseas South Asian beauties have assimilated to the local culture and society of their countries while also acknowledging and having strong ties with their South Asian heritage.

1. 1978 Australia

Beverley Pinder won the inaugural Australian Beauty Pageant in 1978. Born in Colombo, Ceylon as "Beverley Frances de Zylva", she comes from a Dutch Burgher family. During her teenage years, she and her family migrated to Australia, settling in the city of Melbourne. At the time she won the national pageant, Beverley was working as an interviewing clerk in the Australian Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. She has competed in a number of local beauty titles and is an enthusiast of karate and jazz ballet. Beverley soon represented Australia in the Miss Universe 1978 pageant, held in Acapulco, Mexico.

After the pageant, Beverley started a career in public relations and eventually started her own firm. She eventually entered politics and became a councillor in Melbourne.

2. 1979 Holland

Eunice Bharatsingh won the title of Miss Holland 1979. 

3. 1998 South Africa

Kerishnie Naiker won the title of Miss South Africa 1997. Born and raised in Durban, Kerishnie comes from an Indian South African background. She is an honors graduate of pharmacy and has worked as a hospital and retail pharmacist. At the time she won the national title, Kerishnie was completing her master's degree and soon became active as a  correspondent and host for a local broadcast corporation. Celebrated as the first Indian woman to win the Miss South Africa title, she soon became South Africa's delegate in the Miss Universe 1998 pageant held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Noted for her eloquence and elegance, the dusky beauty became a favorite during the pageant, finishing among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

Kerishnie soon represented South Africa in the Miss World 1998 pageant held in Seychelles and finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

4. 2001 Netherlands

Reshma Roopram won the title of Miss Universe Netherlands 2001. Hailing from The Hague, Reshma was born to Surinamese parents of Indian descent. Before winning the national title, Reshma has completed a degree in economics. She has also done modeling jobs and has competed in a number of local modeling and beauty titles. The dusky beauty soon became Netherlands' delegate in the Miss Universe 2001 pageant, held in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

After her reign as Miss Universe Netherlands, Reshma continued with her modeling career and became active in the local entertainment industry as a TV presenter. Reshma soon became active in politics, where she served as council member in the town of Barendrecht.

5. 2002 Canada

Neelam Verma won the title of Miss Canadian Universe  2002. Nelam was born in Montreal to Indian immigrant parents of Punjabi descent. At the time she won the national title, Neelam was based in Toronto, working as a correspondent for a news and entertainment program. She is also a business graduate and has previously worked in marketing. Neelam is an avid traveller, having visited many countries around the world and has also done modeling jobs abroad. The stunning beauty soon became Canada's delegate in the Miss Universe 2002 pageant held in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

6. 2010 Philippines

Maria Venus Raj won the title of Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010 (Miss Philippines). Maria Venus comes from a mixed-race background; she was born in Doha, Qatar to an Indian father and Filipino mother. Her mother, together with Venus as an infant, soon returned back to the Philippines, in her hometown in Camarines Sur. At the time she won the national title, Venus was working as an information assistant in a regional government office. She is an honor's graduate of journalism and has competed in a number of local beauty titles. Weeks after she won the national title, the Binibining Pilipinas organization dethroned Venus on the grounds of citizenship issues, citing inconsistencies with her legal birth records and personal details of her birth. Venus and her team of lawyers appealed to the Binibining Pilipinas organization to reconsider her situation, maintaining that she never committed any misrepresentation. The situation was resolved when the Binibining Pilipinas organization gave Venus the chance to reclaim her title by applying for a Philippine passport, to which she complied. After successfully reclaiming her title, Venus soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2010 pageant, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Admired for her slender figure and exotic looks, the dusky beauty became a huge favorite during the pageant. Venus eventually finished as 4th runner-up, ending the Philippines' 10-year placement drought in the pageant.

After the pageant, Venus returned to the Philippines and became active in the local modeling industry. She also made appearances as an actress in films and TV shows and also worked as a TV host. 

7. 2014 Netherlands

Yasmin Verheijen won the title of Miss Nederland Universe 2014 (Miss Netherlands). Born and raised in Amsterdam, Yasmin comes from a multiracial background and is of Dutch, German, Indian, Indonesian and Chinese descent. At the time she won the national title, Yasmin was completing her degree in interior design. She has previously worked as a restaurant hostess and is also active in charity campaigns against child prostitution. The statuesque beauty soon became the Netherland's representative in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant, held in Miami, Florida. After being announced as among the Top 15 semi-finalists, Yasmin emerged as a crowd favorite and eventually finished as 3rd runner-up.

8. 2020 Australia

Maria Thattil won the Miss Universe Australia 2020 pageant. Maria was born in Melbourne to immigrant parents from India. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in business management and has previously worked in fashion retail. At the time she won the national title, she was working as a human resources officer and was also active as a social media influencer, focusing on beauty and fashion. Maria soon represented Australia in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant, held in Hollywood, Florida. With a strong stage presence and excellent interview skills, the petite, dusky beauty  eventually finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

After the pageant, Maria returned to Australia where she participated in a reality TV show and made guest roles in a local TV series.

9. 2023 South Africa

Bryoni Natalie Govender finished as the runner-up of the Miss South Africa 2023 pageant. It was her second attempt in the Miss South Africa pageant, having first competed in the 2018 edition. Born and raised in Kempton Park, Bryoni is of Indian South African heritage. At the time she finished as the pageant's runner-up, she had graduated with a law degree and was recently admitted as an attorney. Since Natasha Joubert, the winner of the Miss South Africa 2023 pageant, has already competed in Miss Universe 2020 and rules do not allow her to participate again, Bryoni was was appointed the title Miss Universe South Africa 2023. She soon became South Africa's delegate in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant held on San Salvador, El Salvador. With her exotic looks and strong stage presence, Bryoni became a favorite during the pageant. The statuesque, dusky beauty was among the Top 10 in the Voice for Change awardees and finished among the Top 20 semi-finalists.