Celina Jaitly Biography, Net worth, Early Life, Age 2025, career

Celina Jaitlys is an Indian actress, model, former beauty queen, and human rights activist. Born on November 24, 1981, she first became famous when she won the Femina Miss India title in 2001.

That same year, she finished as the 4th runner-up at Miss Universe.

These achievements opened the doors to Bollywood, where she acted in popular comedy films like No Entry and Golmaal Returns. After stepping away from full-time acting, Celina moved to Austria with her family and became a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s empowerment. Today, at age 44 (as of 2025), she continues to inspire people through her social media, writing, and work with the United Nations.

Early Life

Celina Jaitly was born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Her father, Colonel V.K. Jaitly, was a retired officer in the Indian Army. Her mother, Meeta Jaitly, was a psychologist from Afghanistan and had also taken part in beauty contests in her younger days. Celina has one younger brother, Vikrant Jaitly, who serves as a Major in the Indian Army Special Forces.

Because of her father’s job, the family moved many times. Celina studied in schools across Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India, and Odisha. She changed more than twelve schools before finishing high school. This constant moving made her adaptable and gave her a broad view of different Indian cultures from a young age.

Education

Celina completed her school education from various army schools and city convent schools. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours in Accountancy through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). While studying, she also worked part-time in marketing for a mobile phone company in Kolkata. At the age of sixteen, she started doing small modelling assignments alongside her studies. These early experiences taught her discipline and how to balance work and learning.

Career

Everything changed in 2001. Celina took part in the Femina Miss India contest and won the main title of Femina Miss India Universe. A few months later, she represented India at Miss Universe 2001 held in Puerto Rico and finished as 4th runner-up. She also won special awards for best national costume and best skin.

Entry into Films (2003–2012)

Celina made her acting debut in 2003 with the film Janasheen opposite Fardeen Khan. The same year, she acted in the thriller Khel with Sunny Deol and Ajay Devgn. Her big commercial success came in 2005 with the comedy film No Entry, where she starred alongside Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Fardeen Khan. The movie became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

She continued to appear in comedy and glamour roles in films such as:

• Apna Sapna Money Money (2006)
• Golmaal Returns (2008)
• Thank You (2011)
• Season’s Greetings (2020, a short film on ZEE5)

Celina also worked in one Telugu film, Suryam (2004). Over nine years, she acted in around fifteen films. After 2012, she chose to focus on family life and humanitarian work instead of taking new film offers regularly.

Modelling and Endorsements

Before and during her film career, Celina walked the ramp for many famous designers and appeared in several music videos. She was the brand ambassador for brands in beauty, jewellery, and lifestyle categories. She also served as the tourism ambassador for Egypt in India.

Activism and Philanthropy

Celina is widely known for her social work, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2013, she became the first Indian celebrity to openly support same-sex marriages. The same year, she was appointed as the Equality Champion for the United Nations Free & Equal campaign that fights discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Some of her major contributions include:

• Working as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Free & Equal campaign since 2013
• Being the face of PETA India campaigns for animal rights
• Supporting organisations that help children, women, and sex workers
• Serving on the jury of the Cairo International Film Festival in 2010
• Writing articles on gender equality and human rights for newspapers and magazines

Celina uses her large social media following (over three million on Instagram) to spread awareness about mental health, body positivity, and equal rights.

Personal Life

Celina met Austrian businessman and hotelier Peter Haag in 2010 through social media. They got married in 2011 in a private ceremony in Austria, followed by a traditional Indian ceremony. The couple lived in Vienna, Austria, and also spent time in Dubai and Singapore for work.

In 2024, Celina filed legal complaints in India stating that she faced emotional and physical abuse in the marriage. She asked for protection for herself and her children and requested financial support. The matter is being handled by courts, and both sides are following legal processes.

Motherhood and Family Challenges

Celina and Peter have four sons in total:

• Winston Haag and Viraaj Haag – twin boys born in March 2012
• Arthur Jaitly Haag – born in September 2017
• Shamsher Jaitly Haag – Arthur’s twin brother who sadly passed away twenty days after birth due to a serious heart condition

The year 2017 was very difficult for Celina. She lost one of her newborn twins and, within weeks, her mother Meeta Jaitly passed away after battling cancer. Celina has openly shared that she went through depression during this period and sought professional help. She now speaks about mental health to help others who face similar pain.

Today, Celina is raising her three surviving sons – Winston, Viraaj, and Arthur – and remains focused on giving them a loving and secure home.

Legacy

Celina Jaitly showed that a woman can be beautiful, successful in films, and still use her voice for important causes. She was among the first Bollywood celebrities to openly support LGBTQ+ rights at a time when it was not common in India. Her journey from an army child to Miss India, from comedy films to the United Nations stage, inspires many young women to follow their dreams while staying true to their values.

Conclusion

At 44, Celina continues to live between Austria and India, balancing motherhood, advocacy, and occasional creative projects. She proves that life after the spotlight can be even more meaningful when spent helping others. Her story teaches us that true beauty comes from courage, kindness, and the strength to speak up for what is right.

FAQs

How old is Celina Jaitly in 2025?

She is 44 years old (born November 24, 1981).

Who is Celina Jaitly’s husband?

She is married to Austrian entrepreneur Peter Haag (married in 2011).

How many children does Celina Jaitly have?

She has three surviving sons: Winston, Viraaj, and Arthur. One twin son, Shamsher, passed away in 2017.

Why did Celina Jaitly reduce her acting work?

After 2012, she chose to focus on family life and humanitarian causes instead of full-time films.

What does Celina Jaitly do now?

She works as a United Nations Equality Champion, raises awareness for LGBTQ+ rights, animal welfare, and mental health, and spends time with her three sons.

Which are Celina Jaitly’s most famous movies?

No Entry (2005), Golmaal Returns (2008), and Thank You (2011) are among her biggest commercial hits.

Did Celina Jaitly win Miss Universe?

No, she was 4th runner-up at Miss Universe 2001, but she did win Femina Miss India Universe 2001.