Lisa Ray Instagram – Lisa Ray is truly destiny’s child. She catapulted to fame in the 90s as one of the most beautiful models, with none other than Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan paying an ode to her with Afreen Afreen. Since then, she has been shattering age myths, one barrier at a time. A cancer survivor, she bounced back to marry at 40, host Top Chef Canada, which was the country’s most highly rated show for four years running, and have a flourishing film and television career as a leading lady. Professional work has never been the driving force in Ray’s life though. For the model-turned-actor, who wears many other hats, including writing and being a ‘not-so-covert Multiple Myeloma activist’, it has always been about experiences, relationships, travel, spirituality and beauty. Ray’s Twitter bio says she is ‘growing into quietness, doing fewer things, with greater depth.’ Little wonder then that the non-conformist by her own admission talks about her experience with cancer not as a battle she has had to fight but as a ‘relief’. Ray says, “I was living too fast, cheating myself of the basic pleasures in life.” To her, cancer was a symbol of rebirth, pushing her to finally slow down. As an introverted, only child, breaking rules comes as second nature to Ray. “It’s not about rebelling for the sake of it, but questioning institutions like marriage, having children and a career, and deciding what works for you. I never wanted to marry earlier, because my entire sensibility runs counter to society’s norms. Jason (Dehni, husband) happens to be my soul partner and the marriage aspect is more of a symbol for our families,” says Ray, who calls herself a global Indian and a flower child. So how did she finally bite the bullet? “ They say ‘you know when you know’, and it was quite instant with Jason.” Ray moved in with him after two weeks of dating and shunned the usual route of exotic vacations and gifts. “I had been there many times over and it’s a sugar rush that doesn’t last. I wanted to experience mundane everyday life with him and see if it worked,” she says. Ray insists that getting married at 40 has been a huge plus. – @feminaindia