Nirmala Sitharaman Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Profession: Politician

Date of Birth: 18 August 1959 (Tuesday)

Age (as of 2024): 65 Years

Birthplace: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Zodiac sign: Leo

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

Religion: Hinduism

Caste: Brahmin

Age: 65 Years

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EDUCATION

School: Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College, Tiruchirappalli

College: Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College, Tiruchirappalli Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Educational Qualification(s): Masters in Economics PhD in Indo-European textile trades

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): 5′ 4″ (163 cm)

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Narayanan Sitaraman (Indian Railways Employee) Mother – K. Savitri (Homemaker) Brother – Not Known Sister – 1

Marital Status: Married

Husband/Spouse: Parakala Prabhakar (Political commentator, Communications advisor, m.1986-present)

Children: Son – None Daughter – Vangmayi

Husband: Parakala Prabhakar

MONEY FACTOR

Salary (as a Member of Parliament): Rs. 1 Lakh + Other Allowances

Net Worth (approx.): Rs. 2.63 Crore (as of 2019)

Net Worth: Rs. 2.63 Crore

OTHER INFORMATION

Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Political Journey: 2008: Joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was appointed as its national executive. 2010: Elected as the BJP’s spokesperson. 2014: Became the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs as the Minister of State (with Independent Charge). 2017: Became the Minister of Defence. 2019: Beceame the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs 2024: Took oath as a Cabinet Minister in Modi 3.0 government on 9 June 2024

Address: Plot No.M-6, Green Lands, Manchirevula Vill., Rajendra Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy Dist., Telangana

Hobbies: Reading, writing, listening to classical music, cooking

Food: Aloo Halwa

Restaurant: Govinda, a restaurant at the Iskcon temple in East of Kailash, Delhi

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Nirmala Sitharaman was born into a middle-class Tamil-Brahmin family, where the values of discipline and a love for learning were deeply ingrained. Her father instilled a sense of order, while her mother nurtured her with a passion for literature, creating a harmonious blend that shaped Nirmala’s character and ambitions. During her college years, she developed a keen interest in globalization and its impacts on developing countries, a field of study that would later inform her approach to economic policy. This foundation in social science and her upbringing in a politically inclined family, which included a mother-in-law who served as a Congress MLA and a father-in-law who was a minister in the Andhra Pradesh Congress government during the 1970s, provided her with a unique perspective on governance and public service.

Sitharaman’s professional journey began in London, where she initially worked as an assistant to an economist at the Agricultural Engineers Association. Her career trajectory quickly ascended as she took on the role of Senior Manager in Research and Analysis at Price Waterhouse, and even spent some time at the BBC World Service. In 1991, upon her return to India, she embraced a position as the Deputy Director at the Centre for Public Policy Studies in Hyderabad. Her commitment to education became evident when she co-founded ‘Pranava,’ a respected school in the city, further solidifying her role as an educationist. An avid reader, Nirmala is known for crafting her own press releases, demonstrating her dedication and personal touch in her professional communications.

In the political arena, Nirmala Sitharaman’s journey gained momentum when she was nominated to the National Commission for Women during the NDA regime from 1998 to 2004, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Her impactful work during this period caught the attention of senior party members, including Sushma Swaraj, who recommended her to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2008, she officially joined the party, coinciding with her husband’s involvement in Telugu film star Chiranjeevi’s political party, Praja Rajyam. As the BJP rose to power in 2014, she was inducted into Narendra Modi’s cabinet as the Minister of State for Commerce, marking a significant step in her political career.

On 3 September 2017, Nirmala made history by succeeding Arun Jaitley as the Defence Minister of India, becoming the first full-time woman to hold this pivotal role and only the second woman overall to do so, following Indira Gandhi’s brief tenure. This landmark achievement was followed by another milestone on 30 May 2019, when she was appointed the first full-time woman Finance Minister of India. In January 2024, her tenure faced scrutiny when IRS officer B. Balamurugan criticized her in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, leading to a suspension over accusations related to the Enforcement Directorate. Despite these challenges, Nirmala broke the record for consecutive budget presentations by unveiling her seventh interim budget in July 2024, surpassing the previous record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approached, Nirmala announced her decision not to contest, citing financial constraints and her inability to meet the “winnability criteria” in southern states. This decision reflects both her candid acknowledgment of the political landscape and her commitment to serving her constituents effectively, even from the sidelines. Throughout her diverse journey—from a disciplined childhood to the echelons of India’s political landscape—Nirmala Sitharaman has embodied a unique blend of dedication, intellect, and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s governance and policy-making.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.