Sushmita Sen turns 50 today, on November 19, 2025. (Image: sushmitasen47/Instagram)

Happy Birthday Sushmita Sen: The actress, diva and Miss Universe Sushmita Sen rings in her 50th birthday with immense grace and knowledge. She is the epitome of elegance, intelligence, and an unbeatable spirit. From becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title to delivering groundbreaking hit films across genres and contributing to women’s empowerment and social welfare, she has become a role model to women across the world.

As the diva marks her golden jubilee birthday, let’s take a look back at her journey from a small-town girl to gaining worldwide recognition, and from venturing into unconventional roles to becoming a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.

Sushmita Sen: The First Indian Woman To Win Miss Universe

Born to a Bengali family in 1975, she hails from Hyderabad. Her father, Subir Sen, was a former Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force, and her mother, Subhra Sen, is a jewellery designer.

Her journey in the modelling world started when she entered the Femina Miss India beauty pageant in 1994. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan emerged as the winner. But Sen didn’t stop there.

Later that year, she went on to represent India at the Miss Universe pageant, and the rest is history. She etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title in 1994.

Standing tall with her signature grace and eloquence, she mesmerised the world, not just with her beauty but with her intelligence and confidence.

A Trailblazer in Bollywood

After gaining worldwide recognition, she never looked back. Sen made her Bollywood debut in 1996 with Dastak and went on to deliver unforgettable performances in films like Biwi No. 1, Aankhen, Main Hoon Na, and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.

With her strong performances and charming screen presence, she cemented her place as one of the most popular actresses of 2000s Hindi cinema.

She has not only dominated mainstream cinema but also proved her versatility by taking up unconventional roles. Despite her limited screen appearances in recent years, her performances continue to resonate with audiences.

After a hiatus from her acting career, she made a comeback with the streaming series Aarya, which first aired in 2020. She received widespread praise for showing her versatility and proving that age is no barrier if you have talent and confidence. The series entered its third season in 2023.

The same year, she also took on the lead role in the biographical series Taali, based on Mumbai’s transgender activist Gauri Sawant.

Sushmita Sen: A Role Model To Women In India

Not only in her career, she has taken bold decisions in her personal life and broken several social stigmas. She never married and went on to become a proud single mother by adopting two daughters.

Sushmita Sen stepped into the journey of motherhood at the age of 24. She adopted her first daughter, Renee, in 2000, and Alisah, her second daughter, joined the family in 2010.

Reflecting on her decision to adopt, Sushmita, a few years ago, said at FICCI Hyderabad, “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 a wonderful action, but it was self-preservation. It was me protecting myself.”

Sushmita’s personal and professional life is proof of her courage and individuality. We get inspiration from her every day. Happy birthday, Miss Universe!