Reita Faria Biography

 Reita Faria was an Indian model, doctor, and beauty pageant titleholder who became the first woman from India to win the Miss World pageant in 1966. Her life and career are an inspiring story of perseverance, determination, and achievement.

Early Life and Education:

Reita Faria was born on August 23, 1943, in Mumbai, India, to Victor and Violette Faria. She grew up in a middle-class family and had two brothers. Her father worked as a marine engineer, and her mother was a homemaker. Faria attended St. Joseph's Convent High School in Mumbai for her primary education.

After completing her school education, Faria decided to pursue a career in medicine. She enrolled at Grant Medical College in Mumbai, where she studied medicine for five years. She later joined Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals for her postgraduate studies and became a qualified doctor.

Early Career:

After completing her medical studies, Faria started working as a resident doctor at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. However, she was always interested in modeling and fashion. In 1966, Faria participated in the Femina Miss India pageant, which was the most prestigious beauty pageant in India at that time. She won the title and became the representative of India at the Miss World pageant.

Miss World 1966:

The Miss World 1966 pageant was held in London, United Kingdom, on November 17, 1966. Faria was one of the 51 contestants from around the world who participated in the pageant. She was noted for her poise, grace, intelligence, and beauty and emerged as the winner of the competition. Faria became the first woman from India to win the Miss World title, and her victory was celebrated across the country.

After winning the Miss World pageant, Faria became an instant celebrity in India. She was welcomed back to Mumbai with great fanfare, and her victory was celebrated as a historic moment for Indian women. Faria was hailed as a national icon, and her beauty and grace became the talk of the town.

List of Miss World Winners from India.

Career as a Doctor:

Despite her success as a beauty queen, Faria did not give up on her medical career. She continued to work as a doctor at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and later worked at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Faria was dedicated to her profession and worked tirelessly to help her patients. She was respected and admired by her colleagues for her commitment to her work.

Faria's commitment to her medical career led her to decline several film offers she received after winning the Miss World title. She wanted to focus on her medical career and did not want to be distracted by the glamour and glitz of the film industry.

Move to Dublin, Ireland:

In 1967, Faria met David Powell, an Irish doctor who was working in Mumbai. They fell in love and got married in 1971. After their marriage, Faria moved to Dublin, Ireland, with her husband. She worked as a general practitioner in Dublin and devoted herself to her family and community.

Faria's move to Ireland was a significant change in her life, and she had to adjust to a new culture and way of life. However, she adapted quickly and made many friends in Ireland. She also continued to keep in touch with her family and friends in India and visited the country regularly.

Later Life:

In her later life, Reita Faria continued to be involved in various social and charitable causes. She was passionate about promoting education and literacy among women and children, and supported several organizations that worked towards this cause.

Faria was also an advocate for women's rights and worked to empower women in India and Ireland. She believed that women should have equal opportunities and access to education, healthcare, and employment.

In addition to her social work, Faria enjoyed traveling and exploring new cultures. She visited several countries across the world and was always curious to learn about new people and places.

Faria remained a popular figure in India and was often invited to attend events and speak at conferences. She was admired and respected for her intelligence, grace, and dedication to social causes.

In 2000, Faria was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, for her contribution to society. She was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian government in 2017.

Faria passed away on August 9, 2021, at the age of 77, due to complications from a hip fracture. Her death was mourned by people across India and the world, and she was remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers and inspired generations of young women to pursue their dreams.