India, Nov. 19 -- For millions of Indian women who grew up watching her chart her own path, former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen is a reminder that a woman can define her life exactly the way she wants, breaking every rule the world quietly expects her to follow. That includes staying single, and raising two daughters single-handedly. In an earlier interview with Health Shots, the actor, who turned 50 on November 19, spoke about standing tall in her choices: single, self-made, and a mother to two daughters she adopted long before the world romanticised independent parenting.

While her personal life continues to grab headlines, Sushmita sees it as an inevitable consequence of being a woman who has simply followed her heart.

"My biggest need...