Miss Universe - every time we hear these words, our mind immediately gravitates towards the encapsulating Indian beauties - Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta. While the Miss Universe Pageant continues to garner a lot of attention year on year, we cannot get over these two stunning women who made India proud on this international stage. With Miss Universe 2019 all set to be held on December 8, in the US, we cannot help but remember the crowning moments of these two divas! The Miss Universe pageant is broadcast live year on year, and Miss Universe India, Vartika Singh will be representing us this year at the beauty pageant. And while we eagerly anticipate the turn of events at the 68th edition of Miss Universe 2019, let us look at the glorious crowning moment for India, in 1994 and 2000!

Twenty-five years ago, in 1994, a 19-year-old Sushmita Sen created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win this prestigious pageant. While the mesmerising Ms Sen crossed through all the levels and entered the top 3 with immense grace and poise, it was her final answer in the question and answer round that truly hit the home run. When poised with some of the most challenging questions, Sushmita Sen gave some of the most truthful, innocent and beautifully crafter answers, that the actress continues to resonate. Miss Universe 2019 Date, Live Streaming Online & Time in IST: Who Is Vartika Singh? How to Watch Live Telecast in India, Know Everything About Beauty Pageant Held in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Watch Sushmita Sen’s Crowning Moment From 1994:

After this phenomenal success, Sushmita entered the world of films in 1996 and became one of the most renowned actresses of B-town. And merely six years after this iconic win, India was gifted with another brilliant victory - armoured by the stunning Lara Dutta. Who Is Gazini Ganados of Phillipines at Miss Universe 2019? Know Everything About Beauty Queen and Hot Favourite to Be Catriona Gray’s Successor! 

The now popular Bollywood actress had been pageanting for some time and was crowned the Miss Intercontinental in 1997, before this glorious win. While Sushmita Sen set the record of being the first Indian Miss Universe, Lara Dutta set a record in a different avenue. The supremely talented actress achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition, and her final answer to the question and answer round won her a near-perfect score of 9.99 from almost all the judges! Wondering what this near-perfect score answer was?

Watch Video of Lara Dutta's Crowning Moment:

There is no questioning that Lara Dutta and Sushmita Sen have made India proud with their work in the pageanting world. And it will be interesting to see if this record is taken ahead by the super-talented Vartika Singh. While 26-year-old has quite a few pageants in her kitty, only time will tell if the Miss Universe crown will once again come to India!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2019 09:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).