The Sacrifice of a Father: Sushmita Sen’s Adoption Journey

Former Miss Universe and celebrated Indian actress Sushmita Sen has recently opened up about the emotional and legal hurdles she faced while adopting her first daughter, Renee, and the extraordinary sacrifice her father, Shubeer Sen, made to ensure the adoption could proceed. In a candid interview, Sen revealed that her father signed away his assets to legally support her adoption, a monumental act driven by an archaic fear that unmarried women adopting a child would struggle to find a husband.

The actress recounted the intensely stressful time when she was determined to adopt Renee in 2000. At the time, Indian law presented significant obstacles for an unmarried woman wishing to adopt a child. Sushmita Sen was only 24 years old and at the peak of her career, but her marital status became a major point of contention.

During the legal proceedings, Sen’s father was advised that her adoption application might be rejected due to her being single, with the implicit fear being, as Sushmita shared, that “No one will marry her” once she became a mother. To circumvent this potential legal roadblock and strengthen her position as a fit parent, her father made a profound gesture.

“My father, who is a man of incredible integrity and very traditional, was told, ‘If she [Sushmita] adopts a child, no one will marry her,'” Sen revealed. To ensure his daughter’s dream came true, he took a drastic and loving measure. “He signed off all his assets to me… to show that I was a financially stable woman,” she explained. This act was his way of providing an airtight case to the court, proving her financial stability and commitment to giving Renee a secure life, regardless of her marital status.

The actress also touched upon her deep commitment to Renee during the legal battle, stating she was ready to “run away” with her daughter if the adoption had not been granted. This statement powerfully illustrates the extent of her maternal instinct and the sheer determination she possessed to keep her daughter.

Sushmita Sen’s journey with her two adopted daughters, Renee and Alisah, has been a source of inspiration for many across India, challenging societal norms about single motherhood and adoption. Her revelation about her father’s sacrifice adds a new, deeply touching layer to her story, highlighting the unconditional love and support she received from her family that paved the way for her to become the mother she always dreamed of being. It stands as a powerful testament to the lengths a family will go to protect a loved one’s happiness and defy societal pressures.