Sushmita celebrates 25 years of winning Miss Universe

'What a journey!!! Thank you my Motherland India, for giving me my proudest identity #INDIAN.'
'The love, respect and adulation I have been showered with for 25 years, is undoubtedly my life’s greatest earning!!' Sushmita Sen wrote on Instagram.

How quickly time flies!

It's been 25 years since Sushmita Sen created history and brought home the first Miss Universe title for India. She was 18 when she won the title on May 21, 1994 in Philippines. 

On Thursday, the 43-year-old took to Instagram to share a picture of her intimate, low key celebrations at home.

Sen shared two pictures along with a long post describing how she is thankful for the journey that defined her career and success.

In the first picture, Sushmita is posing with a picture cake which has a photograph from her crowning moment. She is wearing a tiara and smiling in it.

The second photograph features her daughters Renee, Alisah and her boyfriend Rohman Shawl.

'What a journey!!! Thank you my Motherland India, for giving me my proudest identity #INDIAN. The love, respect and adulation I have been showered with for 25 years, is undoubtedly my life’s greatest earning!!' Sen wrote in her post.

Read the full post below:

'As we celebrate 25 years of making history, of India winning Miss Universe for the very first time...I want to remember and thank the people of my second home Philippines.'

I thank God for the privilege of having won Miss Universe in their beautiful country, they continue to overwhelm me with their love and belonging to this day, even naming their children ‘Sushmita.’

'My gratitude to Mr. Martin Brooks (then President of MU organisation) all the chaperones, travel managers, Ms Barbara, resident manager Ms Jane, for being such a FORCE of change, for teaching an 18 year old me in 1994, the power of professionalism, value for one’s word, earning of reputation, commanding of respect and to always have a inclusive global view.'

'Their teachings have helped me make many important decisions in the past 25 yrs, thereby shaping the woman I am today.'

I remember with great love all 77 contestants who competed for Miss Universe 1994!! And, of course, the beyond gracious Miss Colombia @carogomezfilm who won first runners up that year, and yet celebrated India’s first victory as if it were her own!'

Thank you God, family, friends, my children and all of you, who have consistently inspired me to keep growing and be more of my authentic self.'

'Your wishes came pouring in and have me overwhelmed, THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!! 'May the Universe always conspire in your favour.' I love you guys,' Sen concluded.