Reita Faria Height, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Full name	Reita Faria Powell [1]The Indian Express
Profession(s)	Model, Physician, Beauty Pageant Title Holder
Famous For	First Asian to win the title of Miss World
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 172 cm in meters- 1.72 m in feet & inches- 5’ 8”
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Hair Colour	Black
Career
Awards, Honours, Achievements	• Miss Bombay 1966 (Winner) • Eve’s Weekly Miss India 1966 (Winner) • Miss World 1966 (Winner)
Personal Life
Date of Birth	23 August 1943 (Monday)
Age (as of 2024)	81 Years
Birthplace	Bombay, British India
Zodiac sign	Virgo
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Goa
School	St. Joseph’s Convent School, Panchgani, Mumbai
College(s)	• Grant Medical College & Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India • King's College Hospital, London
Educational Qualification	• M.B.B.S.
Religion	Catholic [2]Aaj Ki Naari
Controversy	During the Vietnam war, Reita Faria visited Vietnam with British-American actor and comedian Bob Hope. They went to celebrate Christmas with American soldiers stationed there; however, it didn't go well with the Indian government as the Indian government was supporting the communist government at that time. It created big trouble for Reita. Later, this issue was also discussed in the Indian Parliament. Reportedly, she also received some threats that her passport would be impounded. [3]Aaj Ki Naari
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Date	Year 1971
Family
Husband/Spouse	David Powell (Endocrinologist)
Children	Daughter(s)- Deirdre and Ann Marie
Siblings	Sister- Philomena

Some Lesser Known Facts About Reita Faria

• Reita Faria is an Indian physician-turned-model who is best known for being the first Asian to win the title of Miss World in 1966.
  

  Reita Faria crowned as Miss World in 1966

• Reita Faria’s father worked in a mineral water factory, and her mother owned a salon giving her a middle-class upbringing with one elder sister, Philomena.

• In her school days, Reita Faria was known for her determination to become a doctor.

• Apart from being a meritorious student, she was also known for her dressing sense during her school and college years, an attribute that has often been testified by one of her friends  Cecilia Menezes.

• She did her schooling at St. Joseph’s Convent School, Mumbai.  After her schooling, she got admission to Grant Medical College & Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals to pursue her M.B.B.S.
  

  Reita Faria in medical college

• Reita Faria’s pageant journey started with an unexpected entry to Miss Bombay in 1966, followed by Eve’s Weekly Miss India1966.

• Faria was selected to represent India at Miss World 1966 after her small yet successful pageant journey.

• With a few lipsticks, a borrowed saree from acquaintances, and a pair of footwear from a friend she went ahead to participate in the Miss World beauty pageant. But she was so tall that could not fit into those and had to buy a new costume and footwear. ^[4]The Indian Express

• A 23-year-old medical student won the title of Miss World 1966, beating 50 other contestants from all over the world and made history by becoming the first Asian to hold this title.

• She also won “Best Swimsuit” and “Best Eveningwear” titles during the Miss World contests in 1966. Her evening wear was a traditional saree.
  

  Reita Faria wearing a saree

• During her Miss World tenure, she had to visit different countries and do some social works. But her visit to Vietnam with actor and comedian Bob Hope during the war period gave her the controversy of her life.
  

  Reita Faria in Vietnam to cheer American troops during the Vietnam war

• During her stay in Vietnam, a picture of her signing the American soldier cap went viral, where she had gone to cheer the American soldiers.

• After completing her tenure as Miss World, she was offered many Bollywood films and modelling projects, but she rejected these offers and chose to continue with her medical studies.

• After completing her M.B.B.S. from Grant Medical College & Sir J. J. Group (India) of Hospitals she went to  King’s College Hospital, London for further studies and started practising there.
  

  Reita Faria serving as a doctor

• Reita was one of the judges at Miss World 1976 held in London and many other contests during different rounds. Femina Miss India 1998 also had Reita Faria as one of the judges.

• After her marriage to David Powell, she moved to Dublin, Ireland.
  

  Reita Faria’s wedding picture

• Reita has two daughters and five grandchildren.
  

  Reita Faria with her grandchildren