Lara Dutta Birthday: Did You Know She Created History By Scoring The Highest Marks In The History Of The Miss Universe Pageant?

Bollywood actor Lara Dutta is celebrating her 42nd birthday today (April 16). Talking about Dutta before she became an accomplished Bollywood actress, she was the winner of the Miss Universe pageant in 2000. Beauty pageants are not a new phenomenon in India. But back in 2000, Lara Dutta created history. She became the second Indian after Sushmita Sen to bring home the Miss Universe crown. More than the crown, Lara Dutta created history by scoring the highest marks in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. Want to know how? Just keep reading.

Many Indians over the years have competed in beauty pageants. These international beauty pageants have paved the way for many local beauty competitions as well. India’s legacy at international beauty pageants began in 1966 with Reita Faria Powell. Reita, a physician by profession became the first Indian to win the Miss World title. Since then, India has won the Miss World title, five times.

But India has only won two Miss Universe titles. India brought home its first Miss Universe title in 1994, all thanks to Sushmita Sen. Next up, birthday girl Lara Dutta brought the coveted crown to India once again in the year 2000. Since Lara Dutta, the crown is yet to revisit India. But Lara Dutta’s Miss Universe win is quite iconic on its own.

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Turns out, Lara Dutta created history with her Miss Universe win. The Bollywood actress’ outstanding performance at the pageant made heads turn since she scored 9.99 from almost all the judges in the panel. Moreover, Lara Dutta had scored the highest marks in the swimsuit round too during the final interview. Thus, making her the highest scorer that year. Post her historic win, she is yet to find her successor.

 

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The year 2000 was quite special for India when it comes to international pageants. Apart from Lara Dutta winning the Miss Universe title, Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World title and actor Dia Mirza won the Miss Asia Pacific title. Thus, India won all three coveted pageant titles that year. Since, Lara Dutta’s Miss Universe, India is yet to bring back the crown. It will be interesting to see when India wins the crown again and if the contestant will ever be able to beat Lara Dutta’s perfect score. On that note, here’s wishing her a very happy birthday and a fabulous year ahead.

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