“I believed in myself and that’s why I am standing here today”
These were the powerful words of Harnaaz Sandhu before she was crowned Miss Universe on December 13, 2021. This historic achievement made her the third Indian woman to bring the bejewelled and glorious title home after 21 years.
Outshining 80 contestants in the international Miss Universe contest, Harnaaz Sandhu won the hearts of billions of people across the world. A staunch advocate of women empowerment, her winning speech ringed the lost words of thousands of women who struggle to stand strong in a patriarchal society.
In this blog, let’s get to know more about this inspiring persona, including her home, family, town and more.
Harnaaz Sandhu’s Home: A Sheer Expression of Royalty
Harnaaz hails from the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India, but she pursued her studies and grew up in Chandigarh.
Adorned in pearl white and cream wall colours and bronze curtains, her living room is resplendent and luxurious with a statement fireplace area. Ornamented with a gold mirror at the mantle, vintage vases and ornate patterns, it truly invokes a classy living room decor.
The low backrest cream sofa coupled with royal navy velvet pouffe at the centre make it look even more exuberant while the red Mughal rug adds a majestic touch to the entire design.
Harnaaz also has a beautiful garden at home, where she often takes some of her gorgeous snaps. Studded with vibrant flowers, palms and other trees, the garden seems to be one of her favourite places where she spends most of her quiet time under the warm sun.
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While not much information is available about her house, a sneak-peek into her living room and garden area definitely suggests that her home is a sight to behold.
Becoming Miss Universe: The Transformation
Harnaaz Sandhu was born in the small village of Kohali, which is located in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. However, that did not limit her from dreaming big as she got this zeal of following her passion from her parents. Harnaaz’s father, Pritampal Singh Sandhu, is a realtor by profession and her mother, Dr Rabinder Kaur Sandhu, is a gynaecologist.
A bright student, Harnaaz did her schooling at Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh and went to the Government College for Girls for higher education. At present, she is pursuing her Masters in Public Administration.
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She started her career as a model at a very young age. Balancing her education and work, Harnaaz pursued her passion by participating in various beauty pageants and modelling competitions. In 2006, Harnaaz moved to England with her family, and two years later, she returned to Chandigarh, the place where she grew up and started her career.
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She won the title of Miss Chandigarh in 2017, Miss Max Emerging Star India in 2018, followed by the Femina Miss India Punjab title in 2019. In the meantime, her father did not even know that she was participating and winning these modelling pageants. As per reports, Harnaaz used to watch YouTube videos on fashion and modelling tutorials to practice the grace and panache of a ramp walk. Her mother was her pillar of strength and trusted confidant during those days.
A pure Jatt, she and her family were uncertain how their friends and community would react to her modelling career. But when her father learned about it and motivated his ‘Sherni’ to move forward without any fear, she gained a newfound confidence.
Finally, in December 2021, beating 79 countries, the diva made history by becoming the third Miss Universe from India, making her birthplace and country proud.
A Proud Moment for Harnaaz’s Friends and Family
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On that fateful day in Israel when Harnaaz was on stage in the glorious Miss Universe pageant, her family and friends waited eagerly for the result as her neighbourhood dropped into silence.
This restless quiet soon broke into laughter, cheers and rejoicing applause when the beloved daughter of India was finally crowned Miss Universe. Her mother eagerly wanted to talk to Harnaaz, but she only managed to have a 30-second video call.
Her parents and brother expressed their pride and happiness to the media. They were pleasantly surprised at the incoming flood of congratulations and adulations from their relatives, neighbours and community.
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Her mother visited the Sohana Gurudwara the next day and as planned visited the Golden Temple soon after her return.
Interesting Facts About Harnaaz Sandhu
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Harnaaz Sandhu is a true inspiration to the women of India, personifying the phrase of ‘beauty with brains’. However, the fierce diva also has a fun and lavish side that not many might know about. Let’s check out what they are.
- Harnaaz Sandhu’s favourite actress is Priyanka Chopra, who won the Miss World title in 2000. As per reports, Priyanka has been an inspiration to her throughout her modelling career so much that she even desires to star in her biopic one day.
- Apart from the Miss Universe title, Harnaaz Sandhu also won the Miss Diva title in 2021 and Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019.
- You would be surprised to know that Harnaaz isn’t just a model but also an actress in Punjabi movies. She has already starred in two of them, Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange.
- She was born on March 3 in 2000.
- The net worth of Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu is around Rs. 5 to 10 crores.
- Makki di roti sarson ka saag, the essence of Punjab, is one of her favourite foods apart from the sweet delicacy of jalebis.
- She has also been a pro in mimicry. Maybe that’s why her impersonation of a meowing cat at the Miss Universe contest was so epic.
- A staunch advocate of women empowerment, she assisted her mother at various health camps in her early years to spread more awareness about women’s health and rights.
- Cooking, travelling, chess, horse riding and dancing are what Harnaaz indulges in during her spare time.
- She is also a true motorhead and is fond of collecting luxurious cars, like Toyota Fortuner worth Rs 35 lakh, Hyundai Vernam worth Rs 14 lakh, and Audi A4 worth Rs 70 lakh.
- Harnaaz is a fitness freak and loves to swim and go to the gym daily.
In a Nutshell
Harnaaz Sandhu’s remarkable journey validates the truth that no matter what the situation, you can always overcome them if you are passionate about your dream. Harnaaz didn’t just win the Miss Universe title but also awakened women to the simple truth that they are the leaders of their lives. Her victory imparts the clarity that in the end, it is not just about the glitz, glamour and bling but the ferocity and fearlessness that makes a person shine their competencies to the world and make the entire nation proud.
