Aishwarya Rai – the name itself spells grace, scintillating beauty, fame and adulation.

She turns a year older today and enjoys perfect bliss as she celebrates her first birthday after marriage, as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her hubby' s family.

Here're some facts about Aishwarya...

The first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes International Film Festival.

Is reportedly the highest paid actress in Bollywood.

Created a frenzy at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival when she arrived at the premiere of her film ‘Devdas (2002)' in a coach and wearing a beautiful yellow-orange embroidered sari.

Made her first commercial for Camlin pencils when she was in the 9th grade

Was the Coca Cola Girl for the Middle East and South Asia

Favorite subject in college was Zoology.

Is featured in the 2004 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records

In a poll conducted by Hello magazine, she was voted the number-one attractive woman of 2003, beating actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Gwyneth Paltrow

In April 2003, L'Oréal signed her as its new international brand ambassador (spokesperson)

The first Bollywood star to appear in Rolling Stone magazine (Issue 932, October 2, 2003)

Gained 20 pounds for ‘Bride & Prejudice' (2004) because she didn't want her character to look like a supermodel and also felt that it would add a sense of realism to the character

The first movie star she ever met was Rekha. Aishwarya was still in high school at the time and was a model. While at a grocery store with her mother, Aishwarya was tapped on the shoulder by none other than Rekha herself.

Rekha recognized Aishwarya from her modeling ads. She complimented the young Aishwarya on her good looks and wished her all the best

Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai are the only stars to advertise for both Coca Cola and Pepsi

After winning the title of Miss World in 1994, the host of the event, Richard Steinmetz, actually asked Aishwarya out. But being a professional, she refused right away

During the filming of the song 'Dola Re Dola' from the movie ‘Devdas (2002)', Aishwarya's ears were bleeding because to the heavy earrings she had to wear, but she continued to perform anyway

Is a trained classical dancer. She learnt classical dance and music for five years while in her teens

Won the title of Miss Photogenic in the 1994 Miss World Pageant

Has won over 100 awards since 1994 when she was 20

Is good friends with actress Preity Zinta

Was listed in Time magazine as one of 100 most influential people in the world (The 2004 TIME 100)

Ran the Olympic-torch relay in June 2004

Turned down a role in ‘The Myth' (2005) due to her touring schedule. The role was eventually given to Mallika Sherawat

Has over 17,000 Web sites dedicated to her

In 2004, Aishwarya became the first Bollywood and Indian actress to have her own statue at London's Madame Tussauds museum

On January 2nd, 2005, she became the first Indian actress to be interviewed on "60 Minutes" (1968).

Voted #9 in Harpers and Queen magazine's list of the 100 most beautiful women of today. (Harpers and Queen, June 6, 2005)

A tulip produced in 2005 was named for her

Member of the jury at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival

When Oprah Winfrey saw Aishwarya's interview on ‘60 Minutes' (1968), she was so fascinated by her that she got a hold of Ash and invited her to be a guest on her show. On April 25, 2005, Aishwarya became the first Indian and South Asian actress to be featured on ‘Oprah Winfrey Show'

Is said to have turned down the role of Helen in the film ‘Troy' (2004).

Director Andy Tennant offered her a part in ‘Hitch' (2005), but she turned it down because she was so busy with other films. Actor Will Smith later talked about how he missed out on working with the beauty

In the summer of 2005, Mattel released limited-edition Barbie dolls inspired by Aishwarya and her costumes. They were released only in Britain and sold out within minutes. These dolls are now considered rare collectibles among fans.

Her favourite film is Casablanca.

Was voted number 12 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Actresses of the Last 20 Years. (December 2005)

Roger Ebert has said he considers her the most beautiful actress in the world.

Was voted as E's 7th sexiest celebrity in the world

The first actress from India to get signed on with the American Library Association and also have a poster made of her for schools and library's all across America

When President George W. Bush visited India in March 2006, he invited Aishwarya, along with Aamir Khan, to a luncheon. Aishwarya could not attend because she was in Brazil at the time filming for ‘Dhoom:2' (2006).

Performed to an audience of 85,000 in Melbourne, Australia at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games with 800 backup dancers (March 2006)

Is very popular in many Arab countries

Featured in People Magazine as one of the 100 Most Beautiful People in the World. (Issue May,8,2006)

Caused a day long traffic jam in Dubai, United Arab Emirates while filming a soap commercial. People would stop for hours just to catch a glimpse of their favorite actress. (September 5, 2006)

Listed #3 by UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/ 2006)

Her Pepsi ad with Aamir Khan was shot in one night during the infamous Bombay riots.

Came in #1 in BollySpice.com Magazine's list of "Top 10 Actresses of 2006"

Was invited in 2005 to be a presenter at The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005) (TV), but was unable to attend because she was busy filming for The Mistress of Spices (2005)

Is active in various charities and often visits orphanages.

Her favorite Western designer is Giorgio Armani. Whenever she is in London, clothes are taken to her hotel for her to choose from

Director Brett Ratner is a fan of Aishwarya's and he wanted her to be cast in ‘Rush Hour 3 (2007)', but she turned down the offer

Her wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum in London was borrowed by the museum in New York for six weeks. The statue was flown to New York and made its debut on August 15, 2007, making her the first Indian actress in the American version of the museum

Her wedding invitations were embossed with two entwined As and delivered along with a box of chocolate meringues.