Before Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, and Priyanka Chopra became household names and global icons, one extraordinary woman set the stage for their triumphs. In 1966, Reita Faria broke barriers and made history as the first Indian—and Asian—to wear the Miss World crown. Reita Faria is the first Indian woman to win the Miss World Beauty Pageant in 1966. She is not only the first Indian but also the first Asian to win the coveted crown. Reita Faria won the title of Miss World when many of the Indian girls and women were not even allowed to go to school or wear western dresses. She created history and set a benchmark for the forthcoming generation. It is a general thought that the beauty pageant’s winner from India has only one destination – Bollywood. But ... Twenty-three-year-old Faria was the first Indian to walk the ramp in a swimsuit. When 5'8'' tall Reita walked the ramp in heels, she immediately grabbed eyeballs. Also, her medical background set ... Reita Faria made history as the first Indian woman to win the Miss World crown in 1966. She pursued her dream of becoming a doctor and led a modest life in Mumbai.
