She was crowned Miss Universe not only by her good looks and tall and
proportionally curvaceous figure as seen in the pageant's swimsuit and evening
gown competitions (in her prime, in photo below).
Her response to the "question and answer" portion of the contest was the clincher. To the common question: What is the essence of a woman? Sushmita Sen replied: "Being a woman by itself is a gift of God which all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman and the woman is the one who shares and shows a man what love, caring, and sharing is all about. That's the essence of a woman".
This photo truly captures the essence of a woman (below, Sushimita,
still beautiful in her mid-life). Age is but numbers for her!
After the reigning as Miss Universe, she began acting in various Bollywood Films, up until 2010. Her most notable movie is "Biwi No. 1", which earned her several Best Supporting Actress awards from Zee Cine in 1999, Filmfare and IIFA in 2000 and from Star Screen in 2001.
Here is Sushmita's filmography (movies list)
- 1996 Dastak
- 1997 Zor, Ratchagan
- 1999 Sirf Tum, Hindustan Ki Kasam, Biwi No.1, Mudhalvan
- 2000 Aaghaaz, Fiza
- 2001 Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, Nayak: The Real Hero, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai
- 2002 Aankhen, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Filhaal...
- 2003 Samay: When Time Strikes, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye
- 2004 Vaastu Shastra, Main Hoon Na, Paisa Vasool
- 2005 Chingaari, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, Main Aisa Hi Hoon, Bewafaa, Kisna: The Warrior Poet, It Was Raining That Night
- 2006 Zindaggi Rocks, Alag
- 2007 Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
- 2009 Karma Aur Holi, Do Knot Disturb
- 2010 Dulha Mil Gaya, No Problem
Sources: Wikipedia, Facebook fan pages, forum posts