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Reita Faria Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth23 August 1943

Age81 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceBombay, British India

ProfessionModel, Physician, Beauty Pageant Title Holder

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseDavid Powell

FamilyDaughters: Deirdre and Ann Marie; Sister: Philomena; Five grandchildren

Reita Faria Biography

Reita Faria is an Indian physician and former model who made history as the first Asian to be crowned Miss World in 1966. After winning national and global

Early life and background

Reita Faria was born on 23 August 1943 in Bombay, British India, and grew up in a middle-class family that included an elder sister, Philomena. Her father worked in a mineral water factory and her mother ran a salon. Reita attended St. Joseph’s Convent School in Panchgani, Mumbai, where she was known as a determined student with a clear ambition to become a doctor.

Career

Faria pursued medical studies at Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals in Mumbai, enrolling in the M.B.B.S. program. While still a medical student, she entered beauty contests in 1966, winning Miss Bombay and Eve’s Weekly Miss India. Those victories led to her representing India at Miss World 1966, where at age 23 she beat contestants from around the world to take the crown, becoming the first Asian woman to win Miss World.

During the Miss World competition she was recognized in additional categories, receiving awards for Best Swimsuit and Best Eveningwear; her eveningwear for the contest was a traditional saree. Her responsibilities as Miss World took her to multiple countries for appearances and charitable activities.

After her year as Miss World, Faria turned down offers from the film and modeling industries in order to continue her medical training. She completed her M.B.B.S. in India and then went to King’s College Hospital in London for further medical studies. She established a medical practice and later served as a judge at several beauty pageants, including Miss World 1976 and Femina Miss India 1998.

Public profile

Reita Faria’s visit to Vietnam during the war, when she joined actor and entertainer Bob Hope to meet American troops, proved controversial. A photograph of her signing a US soldier’s cap attracted attention and political criticism at home; the visit was discussed in the Indian Parliament and reportedly led to threats concerning her passport.

Faria’s public image is shaped by the combination of her medical profession and her pageant legacy. She is widely remembered for choosing a career in medicine over opportunities in entertainment after achieving international fame.

Personal life and family

In 1971 Reita Faria married David Powell, an endocrinologist, and later moved to Dublin, Ireland. The couple have two daughters, Deirdre and Ann Marie, and she is a grandmother to five grandchildren. Her listed religion is Catholicism, and her hometown is given as Goa.

Latest updates

Reita Faria’s age is recorded as 81 years as of 2024. Over the decades she has continued to be invited to pageant events in a judging capacity and remains noted for her place in pageant history as the first Asian Miss World.
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Recent Work

Miss World judge

Served as a judge at Miss World 1976 and judged other national pageants including Femina Miss India 1998.

1976/1998
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Career Highlights

  1. Miss Bombay 1966 (Winner)
  2. Eve’s Weekly Miss India 1966 (Winner)
  3. Miss World 1966 (Winner); first Asian to win the title
  4. Won Best Swimsuit and Best Eveningwear awards at Miss World 1966
  5. Completed M.B.B.S. and practiced medicine after further studies at King’s College Hospital, London
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Reita Faria born?

23 August 1943

What is Reita Faria known for?

Model, Physician, Beauty Pageant Title Holder

What is Reita Faria’s marital status?

Married

Who is Reita Faria married to?

David Powell