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Zeenat Aman Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

Quick Info

Date of birth19 November 1951

Age73 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionActress, Model

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidow

SpouseSanjay Khan (brief; reported), Mazhar Khan (m.1985–1998; his death)

FamilyFather: Amanullah Khan; Mother: Scinda Heinz (aka Vardhini); Step-father: Heinz; Children: Sons Zahaan Khan and Azaan Khan

Zeenat Aman Biography

Zeenat Aman is an Indian actress and model whose unconventional screen persona and international pageant wins helped reshape female stardom in 1970s and 80

Early life and background

Zeenat Aman was born on 19 November 1951 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She is the daughter of scriptwriter Amanullah Khan and adopted his surname after his death when she was a child. Raised in Mumbai, she completed her college education at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, graduating before embarking on a career in modelling and film.

Before acting she established a profile on the beauty-pageant circuit. In 1970 she finished as second runner-up in the Miss India contest and became the first Indian winner of the Miss Pacific Asia title the same year. She also took home a Miss Photogenic award while representing India in Manila.

Career

Aman moved into films in the early 1970s. Her first screen appearances were in Hulchul (1971) and Hungama (1971), though many remember her breakout to wider audiences from Hare Rama Hare Krishna. That movie’s commercial success prompted her to continue in the industry after an initially uncertain start.

Across the 1970s and beyond she developed a screen image that broke with conservative norms of the period. Choosing contemporary Western fashion and a freer hair-and-costume style over traditional sarees, she became associated with more modern, liberated female roles. Her look and presence also made her one of the highest-paid actresses of her era alongside contemporaries such as Hema Malini.

Aman earned popular recognition for several on-screen moments and songs; one early memorable sequence came from Yadon Ki Barat (1973). She also attracted attention for her performance in Satyam Shivam Sunder (1978), a role for which she reportedly prepared a distinctive makeup and look to convey her character and which led to a prominent casting by director Raj Kapoor.

Her personal life intersected with her public career: she was married twice, first to Sanjay Khan and later to Mazhar Khan. That second marriage lasted from 1985 until Mazhar Khan’s death in 1998. She is the mother of two sons, Azaan Khan and Zahaan Khan.

Public profile

Beyond film credits, Aman has been noted for personal choices that shaped her public image. Her grooming and wardrobe decisions challenged industry conventions and influenced fashion trends among urban female audiences. Over time she remained a figure of admiration for her beauty and independent screen persona.

Aman has also been recognized in recent years by advocacy groups: in December 2023 she was named one of PETA India’s Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrities.

Latest updates

In later decades Aman has retained a presence in popular culture as a celebrated veteran of Hindi cinema. Her lifetime in the public eye includes both professional accolades and widely reported personal struggles. She continues to be remembered for the films and style that made her one of the defining screen personalities of her generation.

Recent Work

Recognition by PETA India

Named one of PETA India’s 2023 Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrities

2023

Career Highlights

  1. Second runner-up, Miss India (1970)
  2. Winner, Miss Pacific Asia (1970)
  3. Film debut: Hulchul (1971)
  4. Breakthrough: Hare Rama Hare Krishna
  5. Noted performance and casting in Satyam Shivam Sunder (1978)
  6. One of the highest-paid actresses of her era
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Zeenat Aman born?

19 November 1951

What is Zeenat Aman known for?

Actress, Model

What is Zeenat Aman’s marital status?

Widow

Who is Zeenat Aman married to?

Sanjay Khan (brief; reported), Mazhar Khan (m.1985–1998; his death)