Aishwarya Rai turns 50 in 2023. The popular Indian actress who worked her way into Hollywood suddenly faced the harshest criticism when she became a mother. Yet she bravely overcame adversity and stayed true to herself. We are sure her story will inspire many women.
Aishwarya began modeling while still in college, and in 1994, she won the title of Miss World. Surely, filmmakers immediately noticed this charismatic beauty. The woman quickly became a movie star in India, and then in the Western part of the world too. The media even called Rai “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
1994. Aishwarya is 21 years old.
In 2006, the woman played opposite a popular Indian actor, Abhishek Bachchan. On the set, a spark of love flashed immediately between them, and in 2007, the lovers got married.
In 2010, the actress suddenly decided to abandon her career and took a 5-year-long sabbatical. In early 2011, everyone found out why — the couple was expecting a child. Given that Aishwarya was 38 years old at the time, the pregnancy was considered geriatric.
Many women in this situation would have preferred a C-section, but the actress chose a traditional birth and even refused to have anesthesia. According to one of her relatives, Rai wanted a normal delivery.
On November 16, beautiful Aardhya was born while Aishwarya was hit by a powerful wave of hatred. The photos of the former Miss World where she was 5 months postpartum caused a stir on social media.
Of course, there were those who defended the actress and said that people’s fixation on someone’s weight is disgusting. There were both ordinary social media users and famous fashion designers among them.
2012. Aishwarya is 39 years old.
It wasn’t easy for her to stay strong under social pressure. However, Aishwarya had always been known for living by her own rules and not paying attention to stereotypes. It was probably her integrity and positive outlook on life that helped her go through body shaming with dignity, and enjoy motherhood to the fullest.
When asked if she was depressed by the way society treated her, she confidently replied, “When I became a mother, it was the most beautiful feeling in the world. There were several hormonal changes within, but it didn’t change anything. There was never a point of self-doubt. I’m so happy in my own life with Aaradhya around and the positivity as well as clarity that I have in my head about myself. Nobody else is dictating or telling me how to be and what to do.”
At a comfortable pace, without trying to please fans or producers, Rai regained her former shape, and then began filming again. It took her 4 years.
In 2023, the Indian actress impressed everyone by a spectacular appearance in a Sophie Couture dress at the Cannes Film Festival. At the same event, she gave a short interview about how to feel comfortable in your own body and not to judge others and yourself.
“Don’t go around attaching your judgement on others who make their choices. I think that’s just the way it should be. It’s a free world: live and let live,” she said. “I think when people tend to do that, it probably stems from insecurity. If you’re comfortable in your skin, and you’re comfortable being you, you really wouldn’t even expend that energy in being judgmental. It’s as simple as that.”
It is nice to see that despite the troubles Aishwarya had to go through, she didn’t lose her positive outlook on life. By the way, so did another famous Indian beauty, Priyanka Chopra, who faced serious criticism because she had her baby via surrogate.
Preview photo credit Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo, AFP/EAST NEWS, Vianney Le Caer/Invision/East News
Dolly Parton: A Journey from Modest Origins to a Heart Full of Generosity
In addition to writing and recording the original version of “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who has also made her mark in movies and literature.
Dolly Parton was up in poverty and didn’t see a toilet until she was eight years old, yet she is now a dedicated supporter of many philanthropic initiatives.
A Poverty-Shaped Childhood
Dolly Parton, who was born in Tennessee on January 19, 1946, was the fourth child out of twelve and had to deal with financial difficulties. Her mother, who was descended from Wales, delighted the family with stories and songs, while her father worked as an illiterate sharecropper. Parton’s parents made sure their kids had clothes, food, and shelter in spite of their own hardships. Thinking back on her childhood, Parton revealed:
“I never felt poor, even though we were.” We always had a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and enough to eat. Mama and Daddy identified individuals in worse condition than ourselves. I felt like everything was normal. We were poor, but you wouldn’t know it unless you remembered sleeping on shared beds, eating beans and cornbread, using newspaper as insulation, and having to go outdoors to use the restroom.
Acquiring Knowledge of Life’s Fundamentals
The Parton family was jammed into a tiny one-room cabin next to the Little Pigeon River, where they lived outside most of the time. Parton said that she didn’t use an indoor restroom until she was eight years old, and even then, she hesitated because she thought it would “suck them right down.” During the winter, the family manufactured their own soap and took weekly baths; however, due of her roommate arrangements in high school, she had to take daily baths.
Impact of Family on Professional Achievement
Notwithstanding the challenges, Parton gives her family, who have always been her biggest love and musical inspiration, a lot of the credit for her success. Her songs and performances reflect her love for them.
Dolly Parton, who has a $375 million net worth, is as generous as she is successful. She established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, originally providing scholarships to her high school classmates. The organization grew over time to assist teachers and kids from different schools who needed their assistance. The Imagination Library is one noteworthy project. Originally launched in 1995 as a memorial to Parton’s father, it has expanded to provide nearly two million children in all 50 states with approximately 1.3 million books each month. In 2018, as the program commemorated its 100 millionth book distribution, Parton said she never thought it would be this successful.
Kind Deeds During Tough Times
Dolly Parton has demonstrated her willingness to assist in times of need. Following the horrific 2016 wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, she established the My People Fund, which generated over $9 million to support 900 families. After her niece’s leukemia treatment was successful, she made more contributions to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Her altruistic endeavors encompass aiding institutions such as the American Red Cross, charities fighting HIV/AIDS, and animal rights organizations. She started speaking out in favor of Covid vaccinations in 2020 and gave $1 million to help create the Moderna vaccine.
Giving from the Heart Generosity
Dolly Parton is a selfless person at heart. She admits that she enjoys giving to others and that it makes her happy to change their life. Her incredible path from humble origins to success has undoubtedly influenced her commitment to philanthropy, as it has turned her into a compassionate person.
How do you feel about Dolly Parton’s giving? Do you think her upbringing has an influence on her charitable work? Express your opinions and assist in bringing attention to this amazing woman’s philanthropic contributions.
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