![Poonawalla at the Exhibition Opening of L'Exibition[niste] by Christian Louboutin as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on February 24, 2020. Getty Images For Christian Louboutin](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/JDPVJN3LENG6LEKJXV7TIO6OII.jpg?smart=true&auth=aa23845297bbdf21a160f7ae2e8b078055540616bd7c0cd085cdea7d36fb9bcb&width=800&height=450)
Natasha Poonawalla turned 41 on Saturday — and India's glitterati took to social media to wish her a happy birthday.
The Indian businesswoman and socialite, who turned heads across the world after her appearance at this year's Met Gala, posted photos of herself to Instagram on the day, wearing a strapless denim dress and black leather corset and boots. She wrote in the caption: "The secret to being blessed is knowing that you already are. #gratitude for family n friends and everyone that’s crossed my path …for nature, beautiful sunsets and stillness to recognise the beauty that is life #blessedwiththebest #greatful".
Priyanka Chopra was among the stars wishing Poonawalla a happy birthday.
"Here's to always making a splash," she wrote on her Instagram Stories over an image of the two of them together in an infinity pool. "Happiest birthday @natasha.poonawalla."
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, Poonawalla's good friend, chose two photos of the pair out and about and with their sons, sharing them on her Stories. She wrote: “Happy birthday, my golden girl. Love you lots. Sending you a big, big hug. Missing you.”
Actress Sonam Kapoor, meanwhile, shared a couple of glammed-up photos with Poonawalla to her main feed, writing in the caption: “Happy happy birthday, my Nat! Love you…"
Another actress, Anushka Sharma, wrote on her Stories, “Happy birthday, Natasha. Wishing you love and light always."
Indian actress, dancer, model and television personality Malaika Arora wrote: “Happy birthday, my darling Nat Poo. Love you and miss you loads.”
Big names in the fashion world also sent Poonawalla birthday greetings.
Designer Gaurav Gupta shared a video of her and a photo of her in a stunning, structural black gown with cut-outs and a long train, writing "love creating magic with you".
Fellow fashion designer and stylist Manish Malhotra also chimed in, writing: "Happy birthday my fabulous friend. Stay fabulous always."
Russian model Irina Shayk also sent birthday greetings, which Poonawalla shared to her own Instagram account, along with everyone else's.
The businesswoman and philanthropist is known as much for her style choices as her jet-setting lifestyle and celebrity friends, as she's often spotted at some of the biggest fashion events across the world.
From the biggest celebrities (Katy Perry, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) to famous designers (Christian Louboutin, Dolce and Gabbana) and royalty (King Charles III), they've all made appearances on her social media feeds.
Poonawala is the executive director of the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines. Her husband, Indian billionaire Adar Poonawalla, is chief executive of the company, which produces, among others, the Covishield coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. Natasha is also chairwoman of the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation, named after her late mother-in-law, a role that takes her to events around the world.
The striking Met Gala look she wore, celebrating the Indian sari, was created by Indian designer Sabyasachi and worn with an ornate Schiaparelli Couture corset that curved over her head. Accessorised with custom Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery pieces, her take on this year's theme, Gilded Glamour, which honoured New York's 19th-century golden age between 1870 and 1890, was one of the most memorable looks of the star-studded evening.
Scroll through the gallery below to see some of the best looks from this year's Met Gala
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Event co-hosts Blake Lively, wearing Atelier Versace, and Ryan Reynolds arrive at the 2022 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2. EPA -
Kim Kardashian, in Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr President' dress, and Pete Davidson. AFP -
Kylie Jenner wears an off-white wedding dress-style gown. AFP -
Billie Eilish, wearing Gucci. Reuters -
Gigi Hadid, wearing a Versace jumpsuit and puffer. AP Photo -
Kendall Jenner, in a full black gown. AFP -
Bella Hadid, wearing a black lace design. AFP -
Daniel Roseberry and Carey Mulligan, wearing a gown with a gold bodice and train by Schiaparelli. AFP -
Megan Thee Stallion, wearing in a gold two-piece Moschino design. Reuters -
Lizzo, wearing black and gold Thom Browne. AP Photo -
Khloe Kardashian, wearing a gold column Moschino gown. AFP -
Emma Stone, wearing Louis Vuitton. EPA -
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, both wearing Thom Browne. Reuters -
Cynthia Erivo, wearing Louis Vuitton. EPA -
Camila Cabello, wearing all-white Prabal Gurung. Reuters -
Camila Mendes, wearing a gold Ami dress. AFP -
Shawn Mendes, wearing Tommy Hilfiger. EPA -
Dakota Johnson, wearing Gucci. AP -
Austin Butler and Priscilla Presley, wearing Prada. AP Photo -
Kate Moss, wearing a black velvet Burberry gown. AFP -
Vanessa Hudgens, wearing a sheer black gown by Moschino. EPA -
Kacey Musgraves, wearing Moschino. EPA -
YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, wearing Louis Vuitton. AFP -
Anna Wintour, wearing a multi-coloured sequin gown. EPA -
Kris Jenner, wearing a yellow kaftan-style dress. AFP -
Co-chair of the 2022 Met Gala Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife Vanessa Nadal. AFP -
Gemma Chan, wearing Louis Vuitton. AP Photo -
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, wearing Louis Vuitton. AFP -
Phoebe Dynevor, wearing Louis Vuitton. AP -
Maude Apatow, wearing a sheer black Miu Miu dress. EPA -
Amber Valletta, wearing a gold gown. EPA -
Kaia Gerber, wearing shimmering Alexander McQueen. AFP -
Dove Cameron, in a sheer gown with wing detail. AFP -
Miranda Kerr, wearing white Oscar de la Renta. EPA -
Jared Leto, matching Gucci's Alessandro Michele, both wearing Gucci. AP Photo -
Addison Rae, wearing a shimmering gown. AFP -
Awkwafina, wearing a peach to red ombre gown. AP Photo -
Emily Ratajkowski, wearing vintage Versace. AFP -
Lily James, in a beaded gown. AFP -
Lily Allen, wearing a feathered Chanel gown, with husband David Harbour. AFP -
Lily Aldridge, in a crystal Khaite gown. AFP -
Simone Ashley, in a black skirt with a gold crop top by Moschino. AFP -
Chloe Bailey, in a full gold gown. AP Photo -
Naomi Campbell, in a black Burberry gown with sequinned detail. AP Photo -
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy. AP Photo -
Cara Delevingne, wearing a red suit. AFP -
Elon Musk, wearing white tie, with his mother, Maye Musk. AFP -
Emma Corrin, wearing oversized Miu Miu. AP Photo -
Gwen Stefani, wearing neon yellow Vera Wang. EPA -
Kerry Washington, wearing black sheer Tory Burch. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, wearing oxblood sequinned Gucci. AFP -
Amy Schumer, Venus Williams, Gabriela Hearst and Xiye Bastida in head-to-toe black on the red carpet. EPA -
Tessa Thompson, wearing pink tulle Carolina Herrera. AFP -
Ariana DeBose, wearing black and gold Moschino. EPA -
Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing monochrome Christopher John Rogers. EPA -
Michaela Jae Rodriguez, wearing ombre gold and silver Moschino. AFP -
Anitta, wearing purple peplum Moschino. AP Photo -
Lila Grace Moss, wearing a nude sheer Burberry gown. AFP -
Nicki Minaj, wearing a full black Burberry gown. EPA -
Bad Bunny, wearing Burberry. AFP -
Karlie Kloss, wearing lace Givenchy. AFP -
Cardi B, in a gold gown. EPA -
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in a pink Givenchy dress. EPA -
Glenn Close, in a pink caped dress, and Italian designer Pier Paolo Pasolini. AFP -
Katy Perry, in a black dress with a full train. AFP -
Winnie Harlow, in a white tulle design. AFP -
Nicola Coughlan, wearing a black and pink gown. AFP
