Sushmita, still fabulous at 37

Former Miss Universe and actress Sushmita Sen, last spotted walking the ramp for designer Rohit Verma, proves she is still fabulous at 37. Here's a look at her journey so far...

Sushmita Sen was born in Hyderabad on 19th November, 1975. Later, her family shifted to Delhi, where she graduated from Delhi University.

Her father is a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander and her mother is a jewellery designer. She has a brother, Rajeev, and a sister, Neelam.

Sushmita proved a natural as she forayed into fashion modelling. But she almost withdrew her application for the Miss India 1994 pageant when she realised that top model Aishwarya Rai was also participating.

In the tie-breaker, when asked about the Indian textile industry, Sushmita answered, "It started off with Mahatma Gandhi's khadi, and its gone a long way since then. But the basics still lies in there."

This was enough for the judges and, in what was considered a shock defeat, Aishwarya had to settle for second place.

At the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, Philippines, Sushmita impressed the judges with her poise and elegance. She made her way to the top five very easily.

In the final Q&A round she was asked to explain the essence of being a woman. Her answer fetched India's it's first Miss Universe crown: "Being a woman is a gift of God and we should all appreciate it. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman. A woman is the one who shares love and shows a man what love, caring and sharing is all about."

Sushmita returned to India after completing her stint as the reigning Miss Universe in a blaze of glory and was instantly flooded with film offers. She made her Bollywood debut in 1996 with Dastak. After Dastak, she worked with Sunny Deol in the action flick Zor. Both movies flopped miserably.

In 1999, Sushmita appeared in Sirf Tum opposite Sanjay Kapoor with whom she was rumoured to be involved off-screen as well as on. While nothing was made official, gossip columns were filled with their reported relationship.

Sushmita finally managed to make her presence felt on the silver screen with David Dhawan's Biwi No.1 in 1999. She played the other woman in the Salman Khan-Karisma Kapoor marriage.

Biwi No. 1 was followed by the flop Aaghaaz opposite Suneil Shetty.

Sush appeared in her first item number in the movie Fiza. The song Mehboob Mere became a huge hit and made Sushmita a rage.

Sushmita worked with Govinda in Kyo Ki...Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, which was a remake of the Hollywood hit Liar Liar starring Jim Carrey.

Another item song, another hit with Shaka Laka Baby in the movie Nayak.

The actress also featured in Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, which also starred Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherji.

2002's Aankhen was a rare and welcome hit. The heist movie, about a bank robbery planned by three blind men, also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Arjun Rampal.

In 2002, Sushmita acted opposite Euphoria singer Palash Sen in the film Filhaal which dealt with the issue of surrogacy. The movie was directed by Meghna Gulzar.

In 2003, Sushmita played the role of a female cop in Samay.

Sushmita's first film with Ram Gopal Varma was the horror flick Vaastu Shastra. The movie didn't do too well at the box office.

In 2004, a big hit came Sush's way with Farah Khan's Main Hoon Naa. She played the sexy chemistry teacher who falls for her over-aged student, Shah Rukh Khan.

In 2004, she was seen with Manisha Koirala in the experimental, heroine-centric Paisa Vasool. The unconventional film made no dent at the box office.

Sushmita played a prostitute in the 2006 flick Chingaari. This was yet another example of the variety of roles she has tried out in her 16-year-long career.

2005 was a big year for Sush with Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. The film was Katrina Kaif's debut movie, but it was Sush who stole the limelight with her sizzling song and dance number Laga, laga, laga re....

Main Aisa Hi Hoon was 'inspired' by the Hollywood movie I am Sam. Sush played the role portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in the original.

In 2005, she acted in Bewafaa opposite the then-emerging Kareena Kapoor.

Sushmita appeared in another item number in Subhash Ghai's movie Kisna.

Next, she was seen in Zindaggi Rocks - the story of a single mother-singer was made in 2006. Despite its fresh theme, the film bombed at the box office.

Next came Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, the disastrous remake of Sholay, in which Sushmita played the role originally portrayed by Jaya Bachchan. Despite the film's debacle, Sushmita welcomed the opportunity to act in the remake of a legendary film.

In the 2008 flick Karma Confessions And Holi, Sush acted opposite her then boyfriend Randeep Hooda. The film bombed at the box office.

Sush was back on the big screen almost after a year with David Dhawan's comedy flick Do Knot Disturb, which also starred Govinda in the main lead. It was followed by another disaster Dulha Mil Gaya. Despite SRK's special appearance, the film bombed.

Sushmita made an unimpressive outing opposite Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and many others in No Problem (2010).

Sushmita also tried and tested her magic on the small screen as a judge of the dance reality show Ek Khiladi, Ek Haseena. The other hottie on the panel was former cricketer Wasim Akram.

Sushmita Sen has always been refreshingly open about her relationships. She had high-profile romances with first director Vikram Bhatt, hotelier Sanjay Narang, Hotmail whizkid Sabeer Bhatia and actor Randeep Hooda.

India's poster girl for single motherhood, Sushmita was all of 24 when she decided to adopt a baby girl. She had to fight a court battle before she could finally adopt the baby who she named Renee.

Sushmita adopted her second daughter Alisah, on January 13, 2010.

In 2010, Sushmita partnered with Tantra Entertainment Private Limited and became the president of the I Am She - Miss Universe India beauty pageant, the winner of which represents India at the Miss Universe pageant.

The Bengali beauty, who is seen at various parties and fashion shows now plans to get married soon. Here's to the most beautiful lady in the Universe and wishing her many happy birthdays ahead.