Born to parents Krishna Raj and Vrinda Rai, she and her brother Aditya, were brought up in a middle class background. During her college days itself, Aishwarya started getting modelling assignments in Fashion shows and add campaigns. She participated in the Miss India Femina contest 1994 and became the I runner up which paved her way for winning the Miss world crown 1994. Aishwarya Rai's career took off as soon as she became 1994 Miss World. She made her debut into films with Mani Rathnam's ' Iruvar' in which she did her part wonderfully, but it was 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' that made her popular as an actress. She has won the Filmfare Awards for the Best Actress category for 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.

On the personal front, Aishwarya campaigns for many social causes. She has generously volunteered to donate her eyes and set an example for the rest of the world. Lovely Aishwarya Rai has proved her mettle in whatever she does especially in acting and still remains one of the leading actresses in the tinsel world. Aishwarya is the first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes International Film Festival