Who was San Rachel?
San Rachel, originally known as Shankari Priya Gandhi, was a talented Indian model, beauty pageant winner, influencer, choreographer, and biology tutor from Puducherry. She became a celebrated voice against colorism, challenging outdated beauty standards and inspiring young women, especially those with darker skin tones, to embrace self-love and confidence. Prestigious beauty titles, social influence, and a commitment to education and empowerment marked San Rachel’s vibrant career.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Shankari Priya Gandhi (popularly known as San Rachel) |
| Stage Name/Nickname | San Rachel, “Dark Queen” |
| Date of Birth | 1999 |
| Age | 26 Years |
| Place of Birth | Karamani Kuppam, Puducherry, India |
| Hometown | Puducherry, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Ethnicity | South Indian, Tamil |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly known |
| Profession(s) | Model, Beauty Pageant Winner, Choreographer, Biology Tutor, Influencer |
| Years Active | 2017 – 2025 |
| Famous For | Breaking colorism barriers, promoting body positivity, fashion events |
| Major Titles Won | Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu (2019), Miss Puducherry (2020), Queen of Madras (2022), Miss Best Attitude (2019), Miss Africa Golden India Runner-Up (2023) |
| Languages Known | Tamil (native), English |
| Educational Qualification | Studied Biology at Indira Gandhi Medical College |
| Teaching Career | Private biology tutor for local students |
| Hobbies & Interests | Dancing, modeling, teaching, cultural programs |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Date of Death | July 14, 2025 |
| Cause of Death | Suicide (due to financial pressure and mental health struggles) |
| Legacy | Cultural icon for dark-skinned representation in Indian modeling |
San Rachel Early Life
San Rachel was born and raised in a modest household in Karamani Kuppam, Puducherry. She grew up with a deep love for academics and the performing arts. Coming from a simple background, she battled social biases linked to skin color from a young age, which later fueled her determination to break stereotypes in the fashion and beauty industries.
From her school days, she excelled not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities like dance and modeling. Her passion for fashion grew alongside her ambition to become a role model for women who faced discrimination because of their appearance.
San Rachel Education
San Rachel was academically bright and pursued studies in the medical field. She attended Indira Gandhi Medical College, where she studied Biology. Despite the demands of modeling, she was known to continue tutoring biology students and guiding younger aspirants, proving her dedication to education alongside her professional career.
San Rachel Family
San Rachel belonged to a supportive family:
| Relation | Name | Details |
| Father | Gandhi | Worked locally in Puducherry, filed police report |
| Mother | Not publicly known | Details private |
| Brother | Gautham | Younger/elder sibling, limited public details |
| Marital Status | Unmarried | No public relationship records |
| Children | None | Not applicable |
Her family had always encouraged her to pursue her dreams, and despite financial limitations, San’s hard work allowed her to shine in competitive beauty contests.
San Rachel Career
San Rachel began her career in the modeling world around 2017. Her strong personality, unique looks, and eloquent expression helped her climb the ladder in the beauty industry.
Key Milestones:
- Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu 2019 – a title that helped her gain national attention for representing the beauty of dark skin.
- Miss Best Attitude 2019 – awarded for her confidence and presentation skills.
- Miss Puducherry 2020 – recognized in her home state.
- Queen of Madras 2022 further cemented her status in the Tamil fashion scene.
- Miss Africa Golden India 2023 – finished as second runner-up in this pan-India contest.
Alongside modeling, San worked as:
- A choreographer for local and state-level fashion events.
- A biology tutor, focusing on underprivileged students.
- An influencer, using social media to break color bias narratives and promote cultural pride.
San Rachel Social Media
San actively connected with her followers through social media, especially Instagram.
| Platform | Handle | Notable For |
| @san_rechal_official | Fashion shoots, motivational posts, pageant updates |
She had over 1,81,000 followers, sharing glimpses of her professional and personal journey.
San Rachel Net Worth
| Category | Details |
| Main Income Sources | Modeling, tutoring, and choreography |
| Secondary Income | Social media promotions |
| Assets | Limited personal savings, jewelry (reportedly mortgaged) |
| Financial Struggles | Reported debts from the event organization |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹15 – ₹20 Lakh INR (approx.) |
San Rachel Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Description |
| Height | Approx. 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 58 kg |
| Complexion | Dark-skinned (which she celebrated) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Slim, graceful model figure |
| Style | Traditional South Indian & modern fashion mix |
San Rachel Death and Final Days
On July 14, 2025, at the age of 26, San Rachel tragically passed away by suicide at her residence in Puducherry. Reports revealed she had taken sleeping pills, leading to kidney failure. Despite hospitalization, she could not be revived.
She left behind a note stating that no one should be blamed for her decision. Investigations revealed that financial pressures had contributed to her actions, as she had taken loans, mortgaged her jewelry, and incurred debts from organizing local fashion contests and educational events.
Her untimely death shocked fans and highlighted the dark realities behind the glamorous modeling world, where social pressures, financial burdens, and societal expectations often remain overlooked.
Interesting Facts about San Rachel
- Nicknamed “Dark Queen”, she proudly represented dark-skinned women in beauty contests.
- Juggled multiple roles: model, teacher, choreographer, and activist.
- One of the few models from Puducherry to gain state-level and national fame.
- Raised awareness about mental health struggles faced by young women in the fashion industry.
- Advocated for self-acceptance, promoting natural beauty without filters.
- Despite modest financial means, she contributed to organizing fashion events to uplift upcoming talents.
FAQs
Q1. Who was San Rachel?
San Rachel was a celebrated Indian model, pageant winner, and social influencer known for challenging colorism and inspiring confidence among women.
Q2. What was San Rachel’s real name?
Her birth name was Shankari Priya Gandhi.
Q3. Which beauty titles did San Rachel win?
She won Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu 2019, Miss Puducherry 2020, Queen of Madras 2022, and was runner-up in Miss Africa Golden India 2023.
Q4. What was her educational background?
She studied biology and tutored students alongside her modeling career.
Q5. How did San Rachel pass away?
She died by suicide in July 2025, reportedly due to depression and financial burdens.
Q6. Did San Rachel have a social media presence?
Yes, she was active on Instagram with over 25,000 followers.
Q7. What causes did she support?
She spoke out against colorism, promoted mental health awareness, and supported education for underprivileged youth.
Q8. How is San Rachel remembered?
As a trailblazer who proved that beauty goes beyond skin tone, remembered for her courage, confidence, and advocacy for equality.
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