Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen wins Champions of Change Awards 2020


Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen has won a national award on Friday, April 16 for her contribution to social welfare and women empowerment.

Founded in 2011, the Champions of Change is an Indian award for promoting Gandhian values (Swachata), community service, and social development.

The beauty queen-turned-actress dedicated the award to Indian women whom she called the "nation's strongest backbone."

"Let’s continue to take small steps & big changes will follow," she wrote on social media.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has also acknowledged her achievement in a post on its official page to which she replied: "Life comes a full circle! Thank you [Miss Universe]. I cherish the journey that began with you at 18."

Sushmita won the Femina Miss India 1994 pageant and went on to represent India at Miss Universe 1994 in Manila, Philippines. She bested 76 other beauties to become her country's first Miss Universe winner at the age of 18.

Photo: Sushmita Sen / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Grand Thailand 2026 is Patthama Jitsawat of Chonburi

Image
Patthama Jitsawat, representing the Thai province of Chonburi, was crowned Miss Grand Thailand 2026 on Saturday, March 28 at MGI Hall in Bangkok. The 32-year-old beauty edged out 76 other contestants to win the national competition. She succeeds last year's winner Sarunrat Puagpipat of Phuket. Panasaya Angelica Damaagd of Buriram was names first runner-up while Ilin Nabsuk of Phuket, Natthakitta Kerdkanchiroj of Saraburi, and Naruemol Chaloemroek of Sukhothai were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's competition marked the 13th edition of the annual Miss Grand Thailand pageant. Reigning Miss Grand International Emma Mary Tiglao from the Philippines was present at the glittering event. The new Miss Grand Thailand will represent the "Land of Smiles" at the Miss Grand International 2026 pageant in India this October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 (@missgrandthailand) P...
Read more

Miss Universe Paraguay 2026 is Gretha Matiauda

Image
Former Miss Earth Paraguay Gretha Matiauda has recently been appointed as her country's official representative in the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. The 24-year-old beauty from Asunción is an economist, international model and entrepreneur. She succeeds last year's titleholder Yanina Gómez who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025. No stranger to pageantry, Gretha has previously placed fourth runner-up at Miss United Continents 2022 in Ecuador and competed in Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam. In a recent post on social media, she wrote, "Today I begin writing a new story, a new chapter where dreams cease to be promises, and become responsibilities." "Being Miss Universe Paraguay is not just about wearing a crown; it's about carrying the voice of a country, the soul of its people, and the strength of every woman who never stopped believing," she added. The 75th Miss Universe pageant will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. Meet the new Miss Universe...
Read more

Miss International Hong Kong 2023 is Verna Leung

Image
Verna Leung edged out five other finalists to be crowned Miss International Hong Kong 2023 on Saturday, July 15 at the 2020 Studio in Hong Kong. The 25-year-old fashion model and pet food bakery owner also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. She succeeds Rosemary Ling and will now prepare to represent Hong Kong at Miss International 2023 in Japan this October. Lucy Stewart, 22, and Sela Wang, 28, were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively while Yohanna Fung, Vera Chan, and Erika Yu were the rest Top 6 finalists. Former Miss Hong Kong Hoyan Mok graced the event as one of the distinguished panel of judges. She represented Hong Kong at Miss Universe 1994 in Manila, Philippines. Meet the new Miss International Hong Kong: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss International Hong Kong 國際小姐香港代表 (@missinternationalhk) Photos: Chan Tsz Fung, Miss International Hong Kong / Instagram
Read more

Hanoi's Phan Phuong Oanh is the new Miss World Vietnam

Image
Phan Phuong Oanh was proclaimed the winner of the Miss World Vietnam 2025 pageant held on Sunday, March 29 in Ho Chi Minh City. The 23-year-old international business graduate from Hanoi bested 46 other contestants to clinch the coveted national title. Le Phuong Khanh Nhu and Truong Tam Nhu were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Miss World CEO Morley CBE were special guests at the event. During the show, Vietnam was officially announced as the host country for the 73rd Miss World (Miss World 2026) to be held this summer. The new Miss World Vietnam is expected to represent her country at the 74th Miss World competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss World Vietnam (@missworldvn) Photos: Kieng Can, Miss World Vietnam / Instagram
Read more

Miss World Cayman Islands 2026 is Kristianna Gordon from West Bay

Image
Kristianna Gordon from West Bay has been officially announced as Cayman Islands' representative for the 73rd Miss World competition. The 21-year-old graduate of St. Ignatius Catholic School is a dedicated advocate for empowering youth. She founded her Beauty with a Purpose platform, Unsilenced, which emphasizes child protection, consent, and emotional awareness for young individuals. Through her initiative, she strives to establish safe and supportive environments where young people feel valued, respected, and confident in their self-esteem. The new Miss World Cayman Islands is the granddaughter of Patrick and Celeste Broderick — longstanding leaders in Caymanian pageantry and former national franchise holders for Miss World and Miss Universe. She is also the daughter of Nicole Broderick Gordon, Miss Florida Teen USA 1998. The Miss World 2026 competition will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam this summer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Worl...
Read more

Vietnam to host the 73rd Miss World competition this summer

Image
Vietnam, the land of the "Ascending Dragon", has been revealed as the official host country of the 73rd Miss World (Miss World 2026) competition. The official announcement was made during the Miss World Vietnam final on March 29 by Miss World CEO and Chairperson Julia Morley CBE and representatives of Sen Vàng, the local organizers and co-producers of the event. According to the organizers, this year's competition will be held from August 9 in Hanoi until the final on September 5 in Ho Chi Minh City where the reigning queen Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand will crown her successor. From the stunning limestone scenery of Ha Long Bay to the lively atmosphere of Hanoi and the energetic vibe of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam presents an extraordinary mix of natural beauty, deep cultural heritage, and contemporary elegance. During their travels, contestants and visitors will have the chance to discover famous landmarks, interact with local communities, and enjoy the country’s fam...
Read more

Transgender woman Nguyen Huong Giang to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Former Miss International Queen winner Nguyen Huong Giang has been officially announced on Wednesday, September 25 as Miss Universe Vietnam 2025. The 33-year-old model, singer and actress from Hanoi made history as the first ever transgender woman to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe. Huong Giang rose to prominence when she joined the fourth season of Vietnam Idol. She also competed and won The Amazing Race Vietnam 2014 with her ex-boyfriend Criss Lai. One of her proudest achievements in pageantry was winning Miss International Queen 2018, a prestigious beauty pageant for trans women in Pattaya, Thailand. The new Miss Universe Vietnam will head to Bangkok, Thailand to compete in Miss Universe 2025 this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐘𝐄̂̃𝐍 𝐇𝐔̛𝐎̛𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆 (@huoggiangggg) Photos: Nguyen Huong Giang / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Mexico 2025 is Fatima Bosch of Tabasco

Image
Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2025 on Saturday, September 13 at Sala Placido Domingo (Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas) in Zapopan, Jalisco. The 24-year-old designer from Teapa, Tabasco triumphed over 30 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Fernanda Vázquez of Nuevo León was named first runner-up while Yoana Gutiérrez of Jalisco, Ana Ramírez of Nayarit, and Alejandra Díaz de León of San Luis Potosí were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as special guest while former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico was part of the panel of judges. The new Miss Universe Mexico succeeded last year's winner María Fernanda Beltrán who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico City. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram ...
Read more

Russia's Varvara Yakovenko wins Miss Intercontinental 2025

Image
Varvara Yakovenko beat over 50 other contestants to win Miss Intercontinental 2025 on Thursday, January 29 at V Hotel Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt. The 18-year-old model became the fourth woman from Russia to hold the international beauty title. She succeeds last year's winner María Cepero from Puerto Rico. Lorena Suárez Lara from Cuba was named first runner-up while Vanessa Natcha Wenk of Thailand and Faidha Kassim Kivuyo of Tanzania were the second and third runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 7 were Christina Vanhefflin of the Philippines (fourth runner-up), Kika Marques Das Neves of Ecuador (fifth runner-up), and  Brilliant Mukanda Maroko of Kenya (sixth runner-up). Completing the Top 12 finalists were the contestants from Cameroon, Colombia, USA, India, and Romania. Germany, Brazil, Spain, Macau, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Vietnam made the Top 23. Aside winning the crown, the new Miss Intercontinental also bagged the Mis...
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2025 is Kaori Hashimoto from Tochigi Prefecture

Image
Kaori Hashimoto was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, July 16 in Shibuya. The 21-year-old business administration student from Tochigi Prefecture beat over 40 other contestants to win the national title. Saki Fujita and Reina Ishii were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Chiemi Takayama and Naomi Monique Kamidate were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Kaya Chakrabortty, last year's winner who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 held in Mexico, crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss Universe Japan will now prepare to represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Japan Official (@missuniversejapan) Photos: Marai Ken / Miss Universe Japan
Read more