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Preity Zinta Height, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography

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Hometown: Shimla
Husband: Gene Goodenough
Age: 49 Years

Preity Zinta

Bio/Wiki
Full NamePreity G Zinta
Nickname(s)• Yako (given by Sanjay Dutt)
• Pri (given by Hrithik Roshan)
• Pritam Singh (given by Bobby Deol)
Profession(s)Actress, Film Producer, Writer, Entrepreneur
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)5' 4" (162 cm)
Eye ColourLight Brown
Hair ColourBrown
Career
DebutFilm (Hindi): Dil Se.. (1998) as Preeti Nair
Dil Se.. (1998)
Film (Telugu): Premante Idera (1998) as Shailu
Premante Idera
Film (English): Heaven on Earth (2008) as Chand
Preity Zinta in a still from Heaven on Earth
Awards & HonoursAwards

Filmfare Awards
1999: Best Female Debut for Dil Se.. and Soldier
2004: Best Actress for Kal Ho Naa Ho
Preity Zinta with her Filmfare Award
Zee Cine Awards
1999: Best Female Debut for Soldier
Preity Zinta with her Zee Cine Award
2003: Queen of Hearts
2004: Star of the Year – Female

Stardust Awards
2004: Actor of the Year – Female for Kal Ho Naa Ho
2005: Actor of the Year – Female for Veer-Zaara
Preity Zinta with her Stardust Award
2010: Best Actress for Heaven on Earth

Screen Awards
1999: Best Female Debut for Soldier
2005: Best Actress for Veer-Zaara

Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards
2001: Best Actress for Kya Kehna
2004: Best Actress for Kal Ho Naa Ho

International Indian Film Academy Awards
2004: Best Actress for Kal Ho Naa Ho
2005: Style Diva of the Year
Preity Zinta with her IIFA
2006: Most Glamorous Star of the Year

Other Awards
1999: Bollywood Movie Award for Best Female Debut for Soldier
2004: Anandalok Puraskar Award for Best Actress (Hindi) for Kal Ho Naa Ho
2004: FICCI Hall of FRAMES Award for Best Actress for Kal Ho Naa Ho
2008: Smita Patil Memorial Award for Best Actress
2008: Chicago International Film Festival for Best Actress for Heaven on Earth
2009: Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Canadian Film for Heaven on Earth

Honours
2003: Mind of Steel Award Award at Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards for standing against the Mumbai underworld
2008: GR8! FLO Women Achievers Awards for achievement in films
Preity Zinta with her Women Achiever Award for Woman Empowerment
2009: Most Powerful Entertainers of the Decade by IIFA-FICCI Frames
2010: Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of East London for her cultural contribution and humanitarian work
Preity Zinta receiving her honorary doctorare degree
2011: World Diamond Group Platinum Award for Peoples' Friendship at Venice Film Festival
2011: GR8! Women Achiever Award for Woman Empowerment
2013: YFLO Young Women Achievers Award for achievement in films
Personal Life
Date of Birth31 January 1975 (Friday)
Age (as of 2024) 49 Years
BirthplaceShimla, Himachal Pradesh
Zodiac signAquarius
AutographPreity Zinta's autograph
NationalityIndian
HometownRohru, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
SchoolConvent of Jesus & Mary, Chelsea, Shimla
College/UniversitySt. Bede's College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Educational Qualification(s)• Graduation in English Honors with advanced program in Criminal Psychology
• Post Graduation in Criminal Psychology
Religion Omnist
CasteKshatriya (Rajput)
Food HabitNon-vegetarian
HobbiesCooking, Trekking, Dancing, Reading, Writing, Travelling
Preity Zinta during her trek
ControversiesNon Bailable Warrant
In 2013, she made her debut as a film producer with the Hindi film ‘Ishkq in Paris.’ However, the film was a flop after which she faced huge financial losses. Abbas Tyrewala, the dialogue writer of the film filed a complaint against her as his payment cheque of Rs 18.9 lakh was bounced. Later, she did not appear in the court after which a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against her. [1]NDTV
Accused of Being a Marriage Breaker
In an interview, the Indian actress Suchitra Krishnamoorthi accused Preity of having an affair with her ex-husband Shekhar Kapur. She said her husband’s extra marital affair with Zinta broke her marriage. However, Preity denied such allegations and said that Suchitra was mentally unwell. [2]The Indian Express
Social MediaInstagram
Facebook
Twitter
Relationships & More
Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/BoyfriendsKrishan Kumar (actor; rumoured ex-boyfriend)
Krishan Kumar
• Marc Robinson (actor, model; ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Marc Robinson
Abhishek Bachchan (actor; rumoured ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Abhishek Bachchan
Brett Lee (cricketer; ex-boyfriend)
Brett Lee with Preity Zinta
Yuvraj Singh (cricketer; rumoured ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Yuvraj Singh
Shekhar Kapur (film producer; rumoured ex-boyfriend)
Shekhar Kapur
• Lars Kjeldsen (businessman; ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Lars Kjeldsen
• Vikram Chatwal (American actor; ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Vikram Chatwal
Salman Khan (actor; rumoured ex-boyfriend)
Preity Zinta with Salman Khan
Ness Wadia (businessman; ex-boyfriend)
Ness Wadia with Preity Zinta
Gene Goodenough (financial analyst)
Marriage Date29 February 2016
Preity Zinta's wedding picture
Family
Husband/SpouseGene Goodenough
Preity Zinta with Gene Goodenough
ChildrenSon- Jai Zinta Goodenough
Daughter- Gia Zinta Goodenough (twins born on 18 November 2021 through surrogacy)
Preity Zinta with her children
ParentsFather- Durganand Zinta (Indian Army officer; died in a road accident)
Preity Zinta's childhood picture with her father
Mother- Nilprabha Zinta
Preity Zinta with her mother
SiblingsBrother(s)- Deepankar Zinta (elder; army officer), Manish Zinta (younger, lives in California)
Preity Zinta with her brothers
Sister- None
Favourites
Actor(s)Guru Dutt, Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan
FilmTitanic (1997)
PoliticianNarendra Modi
TV ShowThe Simpsons (1989)
FoodKadhi Chawal, Khatti Himachali Dal
BakeryTrishool Bakers in Shimla
Perfume(s)Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci's Envy
Travelling Destination(s)Greece, New Zealand, Vienna
ColourElectric Blue
Style Quotient
Car Collection• Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d
Preity Zinta with her Mercedes
• Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI
• Range Rover Vogue
• Lexus LX 470
Preity Zinta with her Lexus LX 470
• Mitsubishi Lancer
Money Factor
Salary/Fees (approx.)Rs 2-3 crore per film
Assets/PropertiesA flat in Bandra, Mumbai for Rs 17 crore

Preity Zinta

Some Lesser Known Facts About Preity Zinta

  • In her childhood, she used to be a very naughty child.

    Preity Zinta's childhood picture

    Preity Zinta’s childhood picture

  • While growing up, she used to live like a tomboy.

    Preity Zinta while she was in class 11

    Preity Zinta while she was in class 11

  • Her parents wanted her to join the Indian Forest Service.
  • In class 10 she topped in English subject even when she did not have a book a day before her exam. Her mother had bought her a book a day before the exam.
  • When she was 13 years old, her father died in a car accident. Her mother was also badly injured in the accident, however, she survived.

    Preity Zinta in her teenage

    Preity Zinta in her teenage

  • She once shared that while she was studying in a boarding school, she used to feel lonely. She then started reading books and gradually developed a love for books and poetries of William Shakespeare and Rabindranath Tagore.
  • While studying in school and college, she used to participate in various sports like basketball and tennis. She also participated in various extracurricular activities.

    Preity Zinta during her school days

    Preity Zinta during her school days

  • Her first earning was Rs 50 which she gifted to one of her best friends Suzane.

    A note signed by Preity Zinta

    A note signed by Preity Zinta

  • In 1996, while she was at a party, she met a film director who asked her to audition on the spot for a TV commercial for Perk Chocolate. She agreed to it.

    Preity Zinta in Perk ad

    Preity Zinta in Perk ad

  • She then appeared in various modelling assignments.
  • In 1997, she auditioned for an acting project along with one of her friends. There, the Indian filmmaker Shekar Kapur spotted her and offered her a role in the Hindi film ‘Tara Rum Pum Pum’ opposite Hrithik Roshan. However, the film was shelved.
  • Shekar Kapur then recommended her name to the Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam for the Hindi film ‘Dil Se…’ She was selected for the film.
  • In 1998, she played the lead role in the Hindi film ‘Soldier.’

    Soldier

    Soldier

  • She played the role of Rani in the 1998 Telugu film ‘Raja Kumarudu.’

    Preity Zinta in a still from the film Raja Kumarudu

    Preity Zinta in a still from the film Raja Kumarudu

  • She received critical acclaim for her performance in the 1999 Hindi film ‘Sangharsh.’

    Sangharsh

    Sangharsh

  • Some of her other popular Hindi films are ‘Kya Kehna’ (2000), ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’ (2003), ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003), ‘Veer-Zaara’ (2004), and ‘Lakshya’ (2004).

    Veer-Zaara

    Veer-Zaara

  • In 2000, Bharat Shah, financer of the Hindi film ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke,’ was arrested for his connection with the underworld goon Chhota Shakeel. Preity who was one of the actors in the film became a witness in the case and testified that Bharat was involved with Chhota Shakeel. She received death threat calls from the underworld. She was given witness protection after her testimony was recorded. Later, she received a bravery award at the Red and White Bravery Awards for her stand against the underworld. In 2006, she became the brand ambassador for the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Awards.
  • Reportedly, during the shooting of the Hindi film ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke,’ she came closer to her co-actor Salman Khan. In 2001, in an alleged audio tape of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, Salman said that he had slept with Preity Zinta while he was working on the film.
  • In 2003, she was listed as no. 1 in the Top Bollywood Female Stars by Rediff. She appeared on second rank in Rediff’s list from 2004 to 2006.
  • In an interview, Preity talked about the making of the film ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’ (2003) and shared that she was annoyed with Hrithik Roshan for being late on the first day of the shoot. She later discovered that Hrithik had been on set all along, disguised as his character Rohit, making him unrecognizable. Preity added that she uses the title track of the film as a lullaby for her kids.
  • In 2004, she started working as a columnist for BBC News Online as a group of South Asian commentators. Her first column was ‘The Changing Face of Bollywood.’ In the same year, she wrote three more columns titled ‘Odds Stacked Against Indian Women,’ ‘The Darkness That All Actors Fear,’ and ‘Facing Death in Sri Lanka and Thailand.’

    Preity Zinta's column

    Preity Zinta’s column

  • In 2004, she escaped from near-death incidents; first, an explosion while she was performing at the Temptation concert in Colombo, and second, the Indian Ocean earthquake.
  • From 2006 to 2008, she walked the Cannes Red Carpet.

    Preity Zinta at Cannes Film Festival

    Preity Zinta at Cannes Film Festival

  • In September 2006, she was ranked in ‘Asia’s Sexiest Women’ list by UK magazine Eastern Eye.
  • She has made a special appearance in a few Hindi films such as ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007), ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ (2008), ‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ (2009), and ‘Happy Ending’ (2014).

    Om Shanti Om

    Om Shanti Om

  • Preity has also performed in various world tour concerts like Craze 2001, From India With Love, Temptation 2004, and Temptation Reloaded.

    Temptation

    Temptation

  • In 2008, Preity, along with the businessmen Ness Wadia and Mohit Burman, got the ownership rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab which was renamed Punjab Kings in 2021.

    Preity Zinta during an auction of IPL

    Preity Zinta during an auction of IPL

  • She was listed by Times Magazines in ‘World’s 100 most influential people’ in 2010.
  • She started her film production named PZNZ Media in 2011.

    PZNZ Media

    PZNZ Media

  • In 2011, she hosted two Hindi reality TV shows i.e. ‘Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega’ and ‘Up Close & Personal with PZ.’

    Preity Zinta in Up Close & Personal with PZ

    Preity Zinta in Up Close & Personal with PZ

  • In 2011, the Indian actor Tusshar Kapoor apologised to Preity for taking her name in Koffee With Karan. In the show, Karan asked him what came to his mind when he heard ‘cosmetic surgery,’ in reply, Tusshar took Preity’s name.
  • On 13 June 2014, she filed a police complaint against her ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia for molesting her. She said that Ness had threatened her and abused her during a cricket match with their team. She added that he even threw burning cigarettes at her. In 2018, the case was mutually settled out of court.
  • In 2015, she judged the Hindi reality TV show ‘Nach Baliye Season 7.’

    Preity Zinta as a judge in Nach Baliye

    Preity Zinta as a judge in Nach Baliye

  • In 2017, she became the owner of South Africa’s Mzansi Super League team Stellenbosch Kings.
  • She appeared in an episode of the American sitcom ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ in 2020 as Meena.

    Preity Zinta in Fresh Off The Boat

    Preity Zinta in Fresh Off The Boat

  • In 2023, she produced the Hindi web series ‘The Night Manager,’ which streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.

    The Night Manager

    The Night Manager

  • She has been working for various social welfare causes for a very long time. She has worked for HELP! Telethon Concert, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), The Loomba Trust, and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
  • Preity, along with a few other Indian actresses, walked the ramp for the Being Human fundraising event.

    Preity Zinta in Being Human charity show

    Preity Zinta in Being Human charity show

  • She was once appointed as the brand ambassador of Himachal Pradesh.
  • She loves to buy footwear and has a huge collection of it.
  • In 2023, Preity shared that she was never named ‘Pritam Singh Zinta’ and had not changed her name.
  • Preity is considered the original dimple girl and bubbly girl of Bollywood.
    Happy Birthday Preity Zinta Best 5 Films Of This Dimpled Star
  • She regularly works out at a gym to remain fit. She regularly practices yoga.

    Preity Zinta at a gym

    Preity Zinta at a gym

  • She often visits various religious places like temples and churches.

    Preity Zinta in a temple with her family

    Preity Zinta in a temple with her family

  • Preity is an avid animal lover and owns a pet dog named Bruno.

    Preity Zinta with her pet dog

    Preity Zinta with her pet dog

  • She has walked the ramp in various national and international fashion shows.

    Preity Zinta in a fashion show

    Preity Zinta in a fashion show

  • She is often spotted consuming alcoholic beverages.

    Preity Zinta holding a glass of wine

    Preity Zinta holding a glass of wine

  • She has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Vogue, Filmfare, and Stardust.

    Preity Zinta featured on a magazine cover

    Preity Zinta featured on a magazine cover

  • Preity Zinta likes nature’s beauty and dislikes waking up early.
  • There were once rumours that she was involved in substance abuse. Later, Preity filed a police complaint against the journalist who had reported the news about her. Other media houses also removed the story from their records.
  • In September 2024, while giving an interview, Zinta claimed that she tried to have a child through IVF. However, after the results were unfavourable, she opted for surrogacy. She also revealed that while going through IVF treatment, her morale used to be very low. She said,

    I used to feel like that during my IVF cycles. It was very difficult to be smiley and nice all the time. Sometimes I just wanted to bang my head on the wall and cry or not talk to anybody.”

References/Sources:[+]