Harnaaz Sandhu is the 12th Indian to win a major beauty pageant. take a look at others here

Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Monday. Photo: ANI

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New Delhi: Twenty-one years after an Indian last won the title, actor-model Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Monday. The 70th edition of the Miss Universe pageant was held in Eilat, Israel.

Sandhu is pursuing Master’s degree in Public Administration. She will replace Andrea Meja of Mexico, who won the competition in 2020.

This brings India’s number of wins in various international beauty pageants to 12. Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe in 1994, and Lara Dutta Bhupathi won the title in 2000.

The Miss World platform was won by Rita Faria in 1966, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 1994, Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mukhi in 1999, Priyanka Chopra Jonas in 2000 and Manushi Chhillar in 2017.

Indians also won the Asia Pacific beauty pageant three times: Zeenat Aman in 1970, Tara Fonseca in 1973 and Dia Mirza in 2000.

Take a walk down memory lane with these snaps of winners in their crowns over the years.

Miss Universe

Harnaaz Sandhu lives after 21 years.  Photo: @missuniverse |  instagram
Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe on December 13, 2021 after a gap of 21 years. Photo: @missuniverse | instagram
Sushmita Sen was crowned in 1994.  Photo: @sushmitasen47 |  instagram
Sushmita Sen as Miss Universe 1994 | Photo: @sushmitasen47 | instagram
Lara Dutta Bhupathi was crowned Miss Universe in 2000.  Photo: @larabhupathi |  instagram
Lara Dutta Bhupathi was crowned Miss Universe in 2000. Photo: @larabhupathi | instagram

Miss Asia Pacific

Zeenat Aman crowned Miss Asia Pacific |  Photo: @feminamissindia |  Facebook
Zeenat Aman as Miss Asia Pacific in 1970. Photo: @feminamissindia | Facebook
Tara Fonseca crowned Asia Pacific |  photo facebook
Tara Fonseca was crowned Miss Asia Pacific in 1973. photo credit: facebook
In the year 2000, Lara Dutta (Miss World), Dia Mirza (Miss Asia Pacific), and Priyanka Chopra (Miss Universe) were crowned on the world beauty pageant platform.  Photo: @larabhupathi |  instagram
India scored a hat-trick in 2000 by winning separate international beauty pageants with Lara Dutta (Miss Universe), Dia Mirza (Miss Asia Pacific) and Priyanka Chopra (Miss World). Photo: @larabhupathi | instagram

miss World

Rita Faria in 1966 |  Photo: @feminamissindia |  Facebook
Rita Faria as Miss World in 1966. Photo: @feminamissindia | Facebook
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with the crown of Miss World 1994 |  Photo: @feminamissindia |  Facebook
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with the crown of Miss World 1994 | Photo: @feminamissindia | Facebook
    Diana Hayden was crowned in 1997.  Photo: Instagram
Diana Hayden as Miss World in 1997 | Photo: @feminamissindia | Facebook
Yukta Mukhi won the Miss World crown in 1999.  Photo: @feminamissindia |  Facebook
Yukta Mukhi won the Miss World crown in 1999. Photo: @feminamissindia | Facebook
Priyanka Chopra Jonas won the Miss World crown in 2000.  Photo: @priyankachopra |  instagram
Priyanka Chopra Jonas won the Miss World crown in 2000. Photo: @priyankachopra | instagram
Manushi Chhillar in Delhi after winning the 2017 Miss World pageant.  Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht |  impression
Manushi Chhillar in Delhi after winning the 2017 Miss World pageant. Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | impression

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