Reta Faria is an Indian model. She won the Miss World 1996 title. She is best known for being the first Asian woman to win the Miss World title.
Wiki/Biography
Reeta Faria was born on Monday, August 23, 1943 (now 80 years old, 2023) in Mumbai, British India. Her zodiac sign is Virgo. Reeta Faria attended school at St. Joseph’s Convent School, Panchgani, Mumbai. She obtained her MBBS degree from Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai. She went to King’s College Hospital, London for medical practice. Her profession is a doctor.
appearance
Height (approximate): 5′ 8″
Hair color: dark brown
Eye color: Black
family
Parents and siblings
Reta Faria was born into a Catholic family in Mumbai. She grew up in a middle-class family. Her father was a worker in a mineral water factory and her mother owned a beauty salon in Marine Lines. Reta has an elder sister named Philomena.
Relationships, husbands and children
Reita Faria’s husband is David Powell. He is a junior doctor living in Dublin, Ireland. Reita and David were both practicing medicine in London at the time and fell in love with each other. Reita and David married and moved to Boston.
Reita Faria and her husband
Reita Faria and David Powell have two daughters, Deirdre and Ann Marie. After her daughters were born, she decided to give up her job to take care of them. Reita and David Powell have five grandchildren, Patrick, Cormac, David, Maria and Johnny.
Reita Faria and her grandchildren
Profession
Reta Faria’s modeling career began with the Miss Bombay 1966 pageant. Her victory in the Miss Bombay 1966 pageant boosted her confidence and she participated in Eve’s Weekly’s Miss India 1966 pageant. After winning both titles, she was selected to represent India at the Miss World 1966 pageant. Unlike today’s world, where beauty pageants hire designers for every event, Reta Faria participated in the Miss World pageant with only a few lipsticks, a sari borrowed from an acquaintance, and a pair of shoes borrowed from a friend. Even with scant resources, she won the title of “Miss World 1966” and made world history. She became the first Asian woman ever to win the Miss World pageant.
In addition to the Miss World 1966 title, she also won the Best Swimsuit and Best Evening Wear categories in the pageant. She represented authentic Indian style by wearing a traditional sari in the evening wear category.
dispute
As a brand ambassador for the Miss World Foundation, Retta Faria had to visit different countries for various social causes. But she made headlines when she visited Vietnam with actor and comedian Bob Hope. They went there to meet and cheer up the American troops during the Vietnam War. A photo of Retta Faria signing the cap of an American soldier went viral and sparked controversy. The matter was even discussed in the Indian Parliament because the Indian government supported the communists in North Vietnam. Retta also received threats that her visa and passport would be confiscated, after which she had to return to India.
Facts/Trivia
- Reita Faria is a doctor by profession.
- Reta was initially not interested in the idea of participating in a beauty pageant, but her sister Philomena insisted that she enter the event.
- Reta Faria was a determined student who aspired to become a doctor from a young age. While studying medicine, she was also very careful about her appearance. She always dressed up to impress.
- She and her husband moved to Boston after they got married.
- After completing her stint as Miss World, Reeta Faria received many offers for big Bollywood and modeling projects but she turned them down and continued her studies to become a doctor.
- Reeta was one of the judges for the Miss World pageant in London in 1976 and many other beauty pageants. She was also one of the judges for the Miss India pageant in 1998.
- When Retta won the Miss World 1966 title, beauty pageants were still unknown but her victory in the pageant was still highly appreciated by the people of her country.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education