Khushwant Singh Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real Name: Khushal Singh

Nickname: Shalee

Profession(s): Author, Lawyer, Journalist, Diplomat, Politician

Famous For: His sharp writings laced with Humour, Sarcasm, and Wit

Date of Birth: 15 August 1915

Birthplace: Hadali, Khushab District, Punjab (now in Pakistan)

Age (at the time of death): 98 Years

Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Leo

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Hadali, Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan

Religion: Agnostic

Marriage Year: 1939

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EDUCATION

School: Modern School, New Delhi

College(s): Government College of Lahore St. Stephen’s College, Delhi King’s College, London

Educational Qualification: Not Known

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters – 170 cm in meters – 1.70 m in feet inches – 5’ 7”

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Marital Status: Married

Wife: Kawal Malik

Children: Son – Rahul Singh Daughter – Mala

Parents: Father – Sobha Singh (a prominent builder in Lutyens’ Delhi) Mother – Veeran Bai

Siblings: Brother(s) – Bhagwant Singh, Daljit Singh (Indian Politician), Major Gurbakhsh Singh Sister – Mohinder Kaur

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Awards, Honours, Achievements: • Rockefeller Grant (1966) • Padma Bhushan (1974) • “Honest Man of the Year Award” by Sulabh International Social Service Organization in July 2000 • Punjab Rattan Award (2006) • Padma Vibhushan (2007) • Sahitya Academy Fellowship Award by Sahitya Akademi of India in 2010 • Order of Khalsa (Nishaan-e-Khalsa) • Lifetime Achievement Award of Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest in 2013 • Fellowship of King’s College London in 2014

MONEY FACTOR

Net Worth (approx.): ₹17 Crores (at the time of death)

OTHER INFORMATION

Date of Death: 20 March 2014

Deathplace: New Delhi, India

Death Cause: Cardiac Arrest

Political Inclination: Indian National Congress

Address: “Sujan Singh Park”, near Khan Market, New Delhi

Favourite Indian Poet: Nissim Ezekiel

Favourite Poem: The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot

Favourite Drink: Premium Scotch

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Khushwant Singh, a luminary in the literary landscape of India, is celebrated as one of the nation’s finest columnists and writers. His career spanned generations, leaving an indelible mark on readers through his incisive wit and engaging narratives. Known for his unabashed humor and candid perspectives, Singh became synonymous with a style that both entertained and provoked thought. His love for life extended beyond the written word; he was known to indulge in alcohol, adding a layer of complexity to his character that resonated with many of his fans.

Singh’s journey into the world of literature began after completing his education, when he embarked on a career as a law practitioner in 1938 at the Lahore High Court. His foray into writing was marked by the publication of his first story, “The Mark of Vishnu,” in 1948, a piece that hinted at his profound storytelling abilities. The tumultuous year of 1947 saw him transition into the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, where he briefly served as a diplomat before leaving the Indian Foreign Service in 1951. This shift opened the door to journalism, and he soon found himself at All India Radio, laying the groundwork for what would become a distinguished career in the media.

In 1954, Singh took his talents to Paris, joining the Department of Mass Communications at UNESCO, where he honed his skills for nearly two years. Upon returning to India, he became the editor and founder of the influential journal “Yojana,” along with helming notable publications such as the Illustrated Weekly of India, the Hindustan Times, and the National Herald. However, after stepping down from these editorial roles, Singh turned his full attention to writing, producing a multitude of columns, including the highly acclaimed “With Malice towards One & All,” which remains celebrated for its dry humor and astute observations. He also became the creator of the beloved “Santa-Banta” jokes, further endearing himself to the public.

Throughout his prolific career, Singh authored nearly 80 books, traversing genres from short stories to novels. His notable works include “Train to Pakistan” (1956), “Delhi: A Novel” (1990), and “The Company of Women” (1999), among many others. In 2011, he publicly declared his agnostic beliefs with the publication of “Agnostic Khushwant: There is no God,” a testament to his lifelong pursuit of truth. On his 98th birthday, he unveiled “Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life,” a poignant reflection on his enduring journey, which he completed alongside his co-writer, Humra Qureshi, with his final book, “The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous.”

As a testament to his impact, Singh earned the affectionate title “il santo grande,” or “the great saint,” from the residents of Combo Hill. His death on March 20, 2014, in Delhi, prompted widespread mourning across India, including tributes from the Prime Minister, Vice President, and President, who recognized the profound loss felt by a nation that had cherished his contributions to literature and society. Khushwant Singh’s legacy as a writer, humorist, and thinker continues to live on, inspiring generations to embrace the complexities of life and the power of the written word.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.