Reita Faria is the first Indian woman to win the Miss World Beauty Pageant in 1966. She is not only the first Indian but also the first Asian to win the coveted crown. Reita Faria won the title of Miss World when many of the Indian girls and women were not even allowed to go to school or wear western dresses. She created history and set a benchmark for the forthcoming generation. It is a general thought that the beauty pageant’s winner from India has only one destination – Bollywood. But, Reita Faria who is an epitome of ‘Beauty with Brain’ did not become a part of this rat-race and continued her medical practice. She got many offers from Hollywood too, but she did not accept any of them.
Birth and Early Childhood of Reita Faria
Reita Faria was born on 23rd August 1943 in Mumbai. At that time people used to call it British Bombay. She was born to Goan parents. Reita had a normal childhood and a simple upbringing. Her father used to work in a mineral water factory and her mother owned a salon in Marine Lines. She had one elder sister named Philomena.
During her school days, Reita Faria’s friends knew her for altruistic nature and determination for becoming a doctor. Her Friend, Cecilia Menezes, recalled that Reita always presented herself with poise and in a beautiful way. Reita Faria’s family used to lead a life with Catholic values. Observing some Catholic rituals on a daily basis was common. As per Reita Faria, such Catholic values inculcated in her mind at an early stage kept her away from a life of fame and limelight. She always wanted to do something for the welfare of ailing people.
Reita Faria Education
After completing her schooling education, she joined Grant Medical College & Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals. She completed her M.B.B.S here. Thereafter, she went to London and became a student at King’s College Hospital. Reita Faria was just six months away from qualifying as a doctor when she became the first Indian to win Miss World crown in 1966.
Preparation for the Miss World Event
Today, models and contestants splurge a lot of money in the name of looks, attires, footwear, jewellery, and hair-styles when they are about to appear in such competitions. Reita Faria, at that time, took a make-up kit that had only a few lipsticks. She borrowed a saree from one of her acquaintances and footwear from one of her friends. However, Reita Faria was so much tall that she could not fit into both of them. She then purchased a new costume and footwear for herself merely in three pounds. Faria still has them in her wardrobe. She did not even have her trophies from Miss Bombay and Miss India event. She kept a wooden replica instead of the original trophies. The coordinators applied for her passport and visa in a haste. With such minimal resources, she ended up winning ‘Best in a swimsuit’ and ‘Best in Eveningwear’ along with Miss World 1966.
Reita Faria’s Remuneration at Various Beauty Pageants
Reita Faria received the following amount of money at various beauty pageants:
- Miss Bombay: Rs. 5000
- Miss India: Rs. 10000
- Miss World: 2500 sterling pounds
Her Experience on Winning the Miss World Title
At the end of the pageant, Reita Faria won the title, she shared her experience after many years. She outranked almost 50 other contestants from all over the world. She recalls that the event was not as much scintillating as it is these days. Earlier, she did not want to go to the event because of her medical studies. However, her elder sister, Philomena, insisted her to go on and convinced her that it would be only a one week trip to London. For Reita Faria, it was completely fun. She never thought or hoped that the event would be ending with loads of laurels and appreciation for her. Today Miss World crown is given in the context of “Beauty with a Purpose”, but at that time it was not the case. Still, Reita Faria showed her intellect by giving answers aptly for every question.
When she was asked about her motives for becoming a doctor, she told that India is a developing country and it needs more doctors. One of the judges said that India already has lots of babies. Reita Faria aptly gave to the point answers and said that India should not be given disgrace for that. Every answer of her convinced not only the judges but also the common people watching the event on that night.
Fashion designer Wendell Rodrick collected Reita Faria’s costume and swimsuit and he kept them in the ‘Moda Goa Museum and Research Centre’ in Goa.
India’s Reaction towards Reita’s Sudden Fame in 1966
Reita Faria was not the only the first Indian to win the crown, however, she was also the first Asian to win this fame. It was new for India. Many people were not even aware of such competitions at that time. Wearing a swimsuit was a taboo in India at that time. However, India loved Reita Faria for her achievement. When the unprecedented news circulated in newspapers and magazines, people wanted to know more about Reita Faria. We appreciate her for setting a new standard for the new generation.
Reita Faria’s Unknowingly Political Controversy
Being an ambassador to Miss India Foundation, Reita Faria had to visit various places and on various tours. Once she visited Vietnam with actor and comedian Bob Hope to meet American troops to cheer them up. It was the time of the Vietnam War. Many American soldiers died, many lost their limbs, and many were injured. Soon Faria’s photos signing American soldier’s caps were out in the media. The Indian government condemned it, as it was supporting the Communist Party in North Vietnam. Even the Indian Parliament discussed this issue. She started receiving threats that her Visa and Passport would be confiscated. Reita Faria became afraid as she had to go back to India to complete her studies.
Change in Indian Fashion Industry after Reita’s Win
Earlier when swimsuit was not in our life, the judges would ask models to lift up their saree to knees so that they could give marks on that parameter. However, when Reita Faria went to participate in the beauty pageant, swimsuits were introduced by then. She wore a swimsuit so elegantly that she was bestowed with the title of “Best in Swimsuit.” Indians were not even able to move their eyes from the screen that night. She was looking so graceful that Bollywood actresses started imitating her and they started making appearances in swimsuits in Bollywood movies. Baijayanti Mala and Sharmila Tagore introduced swimsuit in India through Bollywood movies. Evening gowns and high bun hair-do also came in trend after Reita’s stylish look at that event. Hence we can say that Reita Faria’s changed the trend in Bollywood. She was the one who set the trend and it is constantly changing after that.
Reita Faria’s Win as a Non-White Contestant
Reita Faria was the second woman who was introduced to the Miss World pageant from India. The name of the first woman is Fleur Ezekeil; she participated in 1959. In the first round, there were 66 participants including Miss U.K., Miss Greece, Miss Spain, Miss Canada, Miss Yugoslavia ( Reita Faria’s favorite). All of these had amazing wardrobes and accessories. As soon as the show moved ahead, Faria’s height and sheer confidence started impressing judges. Reita Faria was the only non-white contestant after round 15 and she made it till the last. The dusky lady created history on that auspicious night.
Reita’s Determination to the Welfare of Common People
When Reita looks back in her previous life, she remembers that taking part in Miss World 1966 beauty pageant was almost only fun for her. She always knew her career path for the future. Reita Faria’s determination to become a doctor was far more intense than winning a beauty title. She was worried when she had to go out every now and then for being an ambassador of the Miss World Foundation. She had to attend her medical college and at the same time, she had to manage her life with sudden fame and stardom. Reita always gave importance to simple and self-sacrificing values from a young age. Eventually, she gave more concentration to her medical studies. She knew that late-night parties, show-off, and finding out ways to generate money from every event was not her cup of tea. Hence, she continued her studies and became a physician.
Reita Faria and Husband David Powell
On that fortunate night, David Powell, a junior doctor, in Dublin was watching the show on in a hospital. He was enamored by that intellectual and beautiful lady. Her shy but confident smile made a way directly to David Powell’s heart. David Powell, who is an endocrinologist by profession, aided Reita Faria through her medical life journey. They both fell in love and got married in 1971.
Reita Faria and her Family
Reita Faria and David Powell shifted to Boston after their wedding. Here both of them became doctors and were living happily. After some time, Reita gave birth to a daughter. Still, she was working in a hospital. After the birth of her second daughter, Reita Faria and David Powell made up their mind to move to Dublin. She decided to take care of her daughters: Deirdre and Ann Marie. Currently, Reita and David Powell have five grandchildren (Patrick, Cormac, David, Maria, and Johnny).
Her Opinion on the Current Glamour World
As per her opinion, the world of glamour and stardom has somewhere stereotyped. The girls who participate in such shows are very attractive and they put a lot of effort into being there. However, the necessities of common life have forgotten in some way. Reita Faria concludes by saying that she cannot fathom if it is the media or the participant’s own desires. She added by saying that it seems the world has changed a bit.
Reita Faria and her Life Now
Reita Faria seldom comes to India to meet her extended family. Many times beauty pageants organizers invite Reit to be a judge for their show. She is happy with what life has given to her. Reita leads a simple life where basic necessities are of utmost importance. Nobody would believe that the first Asian and Indian to win the Miss World title is so simple in her real life. Currently, Reita Faria is leading the time of her life peacefully. She cooks, enjoys, takes care of her family, and loves herself pleasantly.
