Diana Hayden

Diana Hayden (born 1 May 1973) is an Indian actress, television host, model and the winner of Miss World 1997 pageant. She is the third Indian woman to win the title of Miss World.[2] She also won three subtitles during the pageant and is the only Miss World titleholder to do so. In 2008, she was a celebrity contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss.

Hayden was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, in an Anglo-Indian Christian family.[3] She attended St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad.[4] Her parents separated when she was in school and she had to start working at the age of 13. She worked for an event management company called Encore, during when she began taking up modelling assignments.[5] At the age of 21, she worked as a Public Relations Officer at BMG Crescendo, where she assisted in managing the careers of singers Anaida and Mehnaz Hoosein.[4]

Hayden’s journey in pageantry began at the age of 23, when a friend recommended her to enter Femina Miss India.[6] She was then shortlisted for the Femina Miss India 1997 contest. She finished second place and earned the title of Miss India World. She represented India at the 47th edition of the Miss World pageant held in Baie Lazare, Seychelles.[7] A total of 86 delegates competed for the title and at the end of the event, Hayden was crowned as Miss World 1997.[8]

During the question and answer segment of the competition, Hayden responded to the question – “Why do you want to become Miss World?”, by stating:

“I draw inspiration from a famous writer and poet, William Butler Yeats, who once wrote – ‘With Dreams Begin Responsibility.’ Well for me, this title is that dream and the responsibility it brings, I cherish that in a small way I could make a difference and help the dreams of others. Thank you.”[9]

Hayden was also crowned as the “Miss World – Asia and Oceania” during the Miss World contest. In addition, she won the titles Miss Photogenic and Spectacular Swimwear. Hayden is the only Miss World titleholder to win three subtitles during the competition. She is the third Indian woman to win the Miss World pageant, after Reita Faria in 1966 and Aishwarya Rai in 1994.

After her win at Miss World, she was signed up to endorse L’Oréal, Colgate and Chopard in India.[10][11] She has been associated with various charities including Child Rights and You (CRY), Greenpeace, PETA and the Spastics Society of India. She has supported several causes to spread awareness about cancer and HIV/AIDS.