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 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

Miss Universe 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2025, the 74th Miss Universe competition is set to take place on Friday, November 21 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark will hand over her crown to her successor at the conclusion of the event. This year's much-talked-about edition marked Thailand's fourth time hosting the prestigious beauty pageant after 1992, 2005, and 2018. Following the withdrawal of several countries including Cameroon, Germany, Iceland, Kenya, Mongolia, and Montenegro, 122 contestants from various countries and territories are left competing for the coveted international beauty title. The competition has welcomed the debuts of Miss Universe Latina, Cape Verde, Mayotte, Palestine, and Rwanda as well as the return of Ghana, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, Panama, Slovenia, South Africa and Sweden. Bonaire and Rwanda, both 42 years old, are the oldest participants this year while 18-year-old Belarus and Ireland are the youngest. For the fir...
Read more

Polish-American Emily Reng to represent Poland at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Polish-American Emily Reng was officially announced by the Miss Polonia organization as Miss Universe Poland 2025 on Wednesday, October 22. The 20-year-old will now prepare to represent Poland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Emily is a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois and is currently a student at the University of South Carolina. The new Miss Universe Poland is no stranger to pageantry. Prior to competing at Miss Polonia 2024 where she finished second runner-up, she won the title of Miss Polish America 2024 in Chicago. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by EMILY RENG (@emilyreng) Photos: Przemek Kowalczyk, Magdalena Michalak / Miss Polonia
Read more

Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 is Clara Vegas of Miranda

Image
Clara Vegas triumphed over 21 other contestants to win the title of Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 on Thursday, December 4 in Caracas. The 23-year-old model and actress from Miranda will represent Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico. Maria Evangelista Alayon of Amazonas was named first runner-up while Milena Paola Soto of Mérida, Gabriela de la Cruz of Yaracuy, and Gabriela Villegas of Monagas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were the representatives of  Barinas, Anabelly Ojeda, Bolívar, Yosdanny Navarro, Delta Amacuro, Kelly Maita, Dependencias Federales, Valentina Martínez, Portuguesa, Génesis Mendoza, Sucre, Rosangel Mundaraín, and Táchira, Valeria del Amor. The new Miss Universe Venezuela was crowned by her predecessor Stephany Abasali who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 last month in Thailand. Clara is the daughter of former Miss Venezuela Andreína Goetz who made the Top 10 at...
Read more

Miss Venezuela World 2025 is Mística Nuñez of Falcón

Image
Mística Nuñez, representing Falcón, was crowned Miss Venezuela World 2025 in a national competition held at the Studio 1 of Venevisión on Wednesday, November 12 in Caracas. The 24-year-old pharmacist and medical student succeeds last year's titleholder Valeria Cannavò and will represent Venezuela at the Miss World 2026 competition. Aside from Mística, two other beauties were crowned in the national pageant. Valeria Di Martino, a 20-year-old medical student representing Zulia, was proclaimed Miss International Venezuela 2025 and will head to Japan next year for the Miss International 2026 pageant. Silvia Maestre Camero of Apure, a 27-year-old social communication graduate, clinched the title of Miss Supranational Venezuela 2025 and will go to Miss Supranational 2026 in Poland next summer. Completing the Top 7 finalists were the representatives of Amazonas, María Evangelista Alayón, Mérida, Milena Soto, Monagas, Gabriela Villegas, and Yaracuy, Gabriela de la Cruz. The new Miss World ...
Read more

Veena Praveenar Singh crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2025

Image
Veena Praveenar Singh bested 76 other contestants to win Miss Universe Thailand 2025 in a spectacular show on Saturday, August 23 at MGI Hall in Bangkok. The 29-year-old beauty representing the province of Saraburi will now prepare to compete in the upcoming Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Praewwanich Ruangthong of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and Naruemol Phimphakdee of Phuket were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Kamonporn Thongphon of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Amandine Grasset of Pathum Thani rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Thailand was crowned by former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova from Canada. She made history as the first woman of Indian descent to win the national title. Veena was born in Chiang Mai to Indian parents and is a graduate of Thammasat University in Bangkok with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies. No stranger to pageantry, she has previously joined the national pageant three ti...
Read more

Miss Universe 2025 schedule of events and activities

Image
Thailand, the "Land of Smiles" is all set to host over 100 beautiful and remarkable women from different countries and territories around the world to compete in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. According to the Miss Universe Organization, the theme for this year's event is "The Power of Love," which celebrates love as a force that empowers, breaks barriers, and inspires positive change across the world. Here are the schedule of events and activities: Nov 2 - Delegate Arrivals (Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal) Nov 3 - Nov 4 - Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal Nov 5 - Rehearsal, Official Press Conference & Sashing Ceremony Nov 6 - City Tour in Bangkok Nov 7 - Delegates Departure to Phuket Nov 8 - Kora Beach Resort Gala Dinner Nov 9 - Yona Beach Club Nov 10 - Carnival Magic / Parade Nov 11 - Phuket Cultural activities Nov 12 - Departure to Pattaya City Nov 13 - Rehearsal Nov 14 - Swimsuit Fashion Show: Columbia Picture Aqua...
Read more

Miss Universe 2026 host country and venue officially announced

Image
The Miss Universe Organization has officially confirmed that Puerto Rico will be the host country for the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Puerto Rican politician Jenniffer González Colón also made an announcement in a conference held on Tuesday, September 23 in San Juan. The 75th Miss Universe edition will be held in November 2026 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, the largest indoor entertainment and sports arena in Puerto Rico. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark was present at the conference alongside former winners from Puerto Rico — Deborah Carthy-Deu (1985), Dayanara Torres (1993), Denise Quiñones (2001), and Zuleyka Rivera (2006). Next year's competition will be the fourth Miss Universe edition to take place in Puerto Rico after 1972 (Dorado), 2001 (Bayamón), and 2002 (San Juan). Contestants from 135 countries and territories around the world are expected to compete for the crown. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated U....
Read more

Miss Universe Portugal 2025 is Camila Vitorino

Image
Former Miss Queen of Portugal Camila Vitorino was crowned Miss Universe Portugal 2025 last Saturday, June 14 in the beautiful and historic city of Elvas. The 26-year-old from São Sebastião, Setúbal made history as the first married woman and mother to become Miss Universe Portugal. Laura Malaquias, Diliana Fernandes, and Ivone Carneiro were announced as the first, second, and third runners-up, respectively. Last year's winner Andreia Correia passed on her crown to her successor at the end of the event. "It is with great honor that I carry this sash on my chest representing all women, all mothers and the Portuguese people. I promise you that I will give my best on behalf of all of Portugal," shared the new Miss Universe Portugal. Camila is no stranger to beauty pageants, having won Miss Queen of Portugal 2019. She was supposed to participate in Miss Earth 2020 but ended up not competing due to professional reasons. She will now prepare to represent Portugal at Miss Univers...
Read more

Miss Universe Aruba 2024 is Anouk Eman

Image
Anouk Eman bested five other competitors to win Miss Universe Aruba 2024 on Saturday, August 10 at the Aruba Marriott Grand Ballroom. The 32-year-old fashion model and scoliosis awareness advocate will represent Aruba at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Karol Croes. Giulia Brezovar was named first runner-up. The other contestants were Naomi Croes, Irviljen Hato, Marie Sonise Elliassaint, and Sasha Williams. The new Miss Universe Aruba holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in early intervention in autism. She was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager which led to her being an advocate for the condition in which a person's spine has an irregular curve. As a titleholder, Anouk wants to continue her passion for helping children with special needs and implement a national system of early intervention in autism. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anouk Em...
Read more