Harnaaz Sandhu Miss Universe 2021: India’s Harnaaz Sandhu is the Miss Universe 2021. She won the title 21 years after Lara Dutta won the crown in 2000. She was crowned by previously reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico. Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira is the first runner up while South Africa’s Lalela Mswane is the second runner up. Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta congratulated Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu, in a heartfelt note. Know about her birth, age, height, weight, education, religion, parents, and the answer that won Harnaaz Sandhu the Miss Universe 2021 title.
Harnaaz Sandhu Miss Universe 2021: 21 years after Lara Dutta won the Miss Universe pageant in 2000, India’s Harnaaz Sandhu brought the Miss Universe 2021 crown home. The crown was presented to her by previously reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico. The Chandigarh-based model, Harnaaz Sandhu, represented India at the 70th Miss Universe 2021 which was held in Eilat, Israel.
Speaking on the occasion, Miss Universe 2021 said, “I am immensely grateful to the Almighty, my parents, and the Miss India Organization for guiding and supporting me throughout. Loads of love to everyone who prayed and wished the crown for me. Bringing the glorious crown back after 21 years to India is a moment of greatest pride.”
Miss Universe 2021 celebrated her win by saying ‘Chak de fatte India!’ Take a look at her video below:
The 21-year-old from Punjab edged out Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira (first runner up) and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane (second runner up) to win the Miss Universe title. The first Indian to win the title was Sushmita Sen in 1994, followed by Lara Dutta in 2000, and Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021.
Upon being asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?”
To which Harnaaz answered, “The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing, is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let’s talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that is why I am standing here today.”
Harnaaz holds multiple titles such as Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and Miss Diva Universe 2021. She has also worked in Punjabi films such as “Yaara Diyan Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”. Let us take a look at her birth, age, height, education, and more.
Harnaaz Sandhu Biography: All about Miss Universe 2021
| Birth | 3 March 2000 |
| Age | 21 years |
| Height | 5 ft 9 inch (1.76 m) |
| Weight | 58 kg |
| Education | Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh |
| Post Graduate Government College, Chandigarh | |
| Pursuing Master’s degree in Public Administration | |
| Titles | Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 |
| Miss Diva Universe 2021 | |
| Miss Universe 2021 | |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Physical Measurements | 36-24-36 |
| Full Name | Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu |
| Parents | Ravinder Kaur Sandhu (Mother)Pritampal Singh Sandhu (Father) |
| Brother | Harnoor Singh |
| Favourite Quote | “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.” |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Punjabi |
| Favourite things to do | Yoga, Horse Riding and Cooking |
| Religion | Sikh |
Harnaaz Sandhu Biography: Who is Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Sandhu is Miss Universe 2021 from India. The reigning Miss Universe was born on 3 March 2000 in Chandigarh in a Sikh family. Her father is a realtor and her mother is a gynaecologist. She attended Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh, and the Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Chandigarh. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Harnaaz Sandhu can speak English, Punjabi, and Hindi fluently.
Harnaaz Sandhu Biography: Pageantry Career
Harnaaz Sandhu began her pageantry career at the age of 17 and won titles such as Miss Chandigarh 2017 and Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018. She won Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and was placed in Top 12 in Femina Miss India the same year.
Harnaaz Sandhu: Miss Diva Universe 2021 winner
Sandhu was shortlisted in the Top 50 semifinalists of Miss Diva Universe 2021 on 16 August 2021. She was placed in the Top 20 finalists on 23 August 2021. She won the Miss Beautiful Skin award and was named a finalist for Miss Beach Body, Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Talented during the preliminary competition held on 22 September 2021.
Sandhu in her opening statement during the Miss Diva Universe 2021 grand finale said, “From a young girl with fragile mental health who faced bullying and body shaming to a woman who emerged like a phoenix, realising her true potential. From an individual who once doubted her own existence to a woman who is aspiring to inspire the youth. Today, I stand proudly in front of the Universe as a courageous, vivacious, and compassionate woman who is all set to lead a life with a purpose, and to leave behind a remarkable legacy.”
During the final question and answer round at Miss Diva Universe 2021, Sandhu chose the topic ‘Global Warming and Climate Change’ and conveyed, “One day, life will flash before your eyes, make sure it’s worth watching. However, this is not the life you want to watch, where the climate is changing and the environment is dying. It is one of the fiasco that we humans have done to the environment. I do believe that we still have time to undo our irresponsible behaviour. Earth is all we have in common and our small acts as individuals when multiplied by billions can transform the whole world. Start now, from tonight, switch off those extra lights when not in use. Thank you.”
She was crowned the Miss Diva 2021 by the previously reigning titleholder Adline Castelino.
Harnaaz Sandhu: Miss Universe 2021
After winning Miss Diva 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu represented India at the Miss Universe 2021 which was held on 12 December 2021 in Israel’s Eilat. From a pool of 80 contestants, Harnaaz Sandhu advanced in top sixteen, top ten, top five, and then top three before finally winning the Miss Universe 2021 title.
Miss Universe 2021: Harnaaz Sandhu’s family on her historic win
Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021. While she was facing the competition in a foreign land, her mother kept on performing ardaas at a gurudwara, Indian Express reported.
“Makki ki roti and sarson da saag is her favourite and I would treat her with these food when she comes home. It doesn’t increase calories too,” Harnaaz Sandhu’s mother Ravinder Kaur was quoted saying by the Indian Express.
Harnaaz Sandhu’s brother, Harnoor, was quoted by the Indian Express as saying, “It is such a proud moment. I can’t even express our feelings. Harnaaz remains calm most of the time and is very focused. She knew from her school days that she has to clinch this title.”
“She always said that she wanted to do something different. She won Miss Chandigarh, Miss Punjab, and then it went on,” added Harnoor.
Miss Universe 2021: An inspiring story of Harnaaz Sandhu
Once body shamed, Harnaaz Sandhu is now the reigning Miss World 2021 from India. During her teenage years, Sandhu was bullied for being too thin. She also describes herself as an introvert. Speaking on the same, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu said, “I think I have overcome that by believing in my strength and by believing that every individual is unique and that what makes them different. It was all possible because of my mom’s support. She has always been my hero and made me believe in my strength. My family plays a significant role in my worst stage. If I’m able to sit here and talk about myself with confidence, it’s all because of my family.”
Upon being asked about inspiring people in her life, Miss Universe 2021 said, “Priyanka has influenced my life immensely as her aura reflects courage, determination, and a never-give-up attitude. Since her pageant days, she has been representing India phenomenally and has made India proud on a global level, and that is what I, too, aspire to do. She truly is an inspiration to me and many others.”
“My mother broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist and led her family,” added Harnaaz Sandhu who is the reigning Miss Universe 2021.
Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta’s Heartfelt note to Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu
Former Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta in a heartfelt note wrote, “My dearest Harnaaz Sandhu, when I spoke to you yesterday, you promised me that ‘it will be worth it.’ You are worth all your triumphant glory and much, much more! You had an unshakeable belief in yourself and just knew, you were born for this. You were born in the year I won Miss Universe. That’s how long we’ve waited for you to come along and lift that crown once more for India.
“Perhaps, it was destined. I know what lies in store for you and I wish you a glorious reign. May this only be the start of the heights you will scale! God bless you, my heartiest congratulations to your parents and family! The universe now is your oyster- our star,” Dutta added.
Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen’s note to Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu
Miss Universe 1994, Sushmita Sen, too congratulated Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu, on her prestigious win through a note: “Yeh baat. Har Hindustani Ki Naz’ Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu. Miss Universe 2021… India.. So proud of you.”
“Congratulations Harnaaz Sandhu. Thank you for representing India so beautifully, for bringing back the Miss Universe Crown to India after 21 years (by a 21 year old, you were destined). May you enjoy every moment of learning and sharing this incredible global platform Miss Universe will provide you….May you Reign Supreme. My love and regards to your Maa and family…bohut, bohut mubarak,” Sushmita Sen added.
Harnaaz Sandhu: Awards and Achievements
| Preceded By | Title | Succeded By |
| Andrea Meza | Miss Universe 2021 | Incumbent |
| Adline Castelino | Miss Diva 2021 | Incumbent |
| Anna Kler | Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 | Karuna Singh |