QUICK FACTS NAME: Diana Hayden OCCUPATION: Model BIRTH DATE: May 1, 1973 PLACE OF BIRTH: Hyderabad  Diana Hayden, the 1997  Miss World was born in 1973 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. She was the only Miss World to have won a hat-trick at the pageant - Miss Photogenic, Miss Beachwear and Miss World 1997.  A tomboy as a teenager, Diana grew up to be a ravishing beauty. Diana's parents split up at her very young age, but her family including her mother and brother were still very close-knit. After completing her schooling at St Ann's High School, Secunderabad, she graduated from Osmania University in English through correspondence. Diana shifted to Mumbai to pursue her career goals. She then moved to Bangalore working for the event management company Encore and then again to Bombay.

Diana had a brief stint in modelling and did a couple of fashion shows in Bangalore and Mumbai. Then she started work in the public relations division of BMG Crescendo, the music company where she helped handle the careers of artistes like Anaida and Mehnaz. It was Anaida who forced her to send her pictures for the Miss India Contest and the rest is history. 

The self made perfectionist made India proud by bagging the world crown. As Miss World, she became the name and face for L'Oreal and ambassador for CRY (Child Relief and You). She completed a 5 weeks course on Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and a year long training at Drama Studio in London.

Diana describes herself as a very steady person, doing what she loves most in the world. She has a passion for music and dance. But, her first love is reading. She likes horse riding and playing chess. Diana actively supports an orphanage in Hyderabad, CAP (Child And Police), a rehabilitation project under Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, which deals with the police taking off children from the streets and educating them. Diana continues to do International modelling assignments.

Diana began her Bollywood innings with 'Tehzeeb'. But she had her first full-fledged role in another Hindi movie 'Ab Bas!' an out and out women-oriented film. She also appeared in Hollywood Films like 'All Alone'(2006) and 'Othello-A South African Tale'(2006).

Diana Hayden was signed by the Avalon Aviation Academy as the face of the Academy and she is also a celebrity guest lecturer for training airlines personnel in various aspects, including poise and grace in the academy. She also hosts a popular show on the History channel called "Biography".