Sonia Gandhi Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real Name: Edvige Antonia Albina Màino

Profession: Politician

Date of Birth: 9 December 1946 (Monday)

Age (as of 2024): 78 Years

Birthplace: Lusiana, Veneto, Italy

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Lusiana, Italy (she has been living in New Delhi, since her marriage)

Religion: Hinduism

Marriage Date: 25 February 1968

Age: 78 Years

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EDUCATION

School: Attended a Catholic School in Orbassano, a town near Turin, Italy

College/University: • Istituto Santa Teresa via Santa Teresa, 10 Turin, Italy • Lennox Cook School, Cambridge

Educational Qualification(s): • Three Years Course in Foreign Languages (English & French) in 1964 at Istituto Santa Teresa via Santa Teresa, 10 Turin • Certificate in English from Lennox Cook School, Cambridge in 1965

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters- 163 cm in meters- 1.63 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 4”

Eye Colour: Hazel Brown

Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Stefano Maino Mother – Paola Maino (she passed away at her home in Italy on 27 August 2022) [1] The Hindu Brother – None Sisters – Anushka (elder), Nadia (younger)

Marital Status: Widowed

Affairs/Boyfriends: Franco Luison (Italian footballer, she allegedly dated him in the 60s; before she met Rajiv Gandhi) Rajiv Gandhi

Husband: Rajiv Gandhi , Former Indian Prime Minister

Children: Son – Rahul Gandhi (Indian member of Parliament) Daughter – Priyanka Gandhi (Indian Politician)

MONEY FACTOR

Car: Nil (as per her affidavit filed in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections)

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

Assets/Properties: Cash: Rs. 90,000 Total Assets: Rs 12.53 crore Gold Jewellery: 1.3 kg Gold worth Rs 49.95 lakh Silver Jewellery: 88 kg Silver worth Rs 57.2 lakh Agricultural Land: Worth Rs. 7.29 Crore (a 3 bigha land in village Deramandi, New Delhi & a 12 bigha land in Village Sultanpur, Mehrauli, New Delhi) Residential Building: Share in the inherited property in Italy (Rs 26.83 lakh)

Net Worth (approx.): Rs. 12.53 crore (as of 2024) [3] India Today

OTHER INFORMATION

Political Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Political Journey: • In 1997, she joined Indian National Congress as a Primary Member. • In 1998, she became Party Leader of Indian National Congress. • In 1999, she contested Lok Sabha elections from Amethi Uttar Pradesh and Bellary Karnataka and won both the seats. • In 1999, she was elected Leader of the Opposition of the 13th Lok Sabha. • In the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections, she won the Lok Sabha seat from Raebareli Uttar Pradesh. • On 16 May 2004, she was chosen the leader of a 15-party coalition government named as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). • In 2006, she was re-elected from her constituency Raebareli Uttar Pradesh. • In 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, she was re-elected from Raebareli constituency for the third term. • In 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, she won the Lok Sabha seat from Raebareli for the 4th term. • In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, she retained her seat of Raebareli by defeating BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh by 1,67,178 votes. • She submitted her Rajya Sabha nomination from Rajasthan on 14 February 2024.

Blood Group: B (-ve)

Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Cooking, Yoga, Interest in Modern Art

Food: Ice-Creams, Salads

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sonia Gandhi’s journey is deeply rooted in her family history, with her father, Stefano Maino, having fought alongside Hitler’s Army against the Soviet Union during World War II. This complex backdrop framed her early years, spent primarily in Orbassano, a quaint town near Turin, Italy, where her mother and two sisters still reside. In this nurturing environment, Sonia developed a vibrant personality, actively participating in various school functions that were a hallmark of her education, showcasing her early inclination towards engagement and community involvement.

At the tender age of 18, Sonia embarked on a new chapter of her life, moving to the United Kingdom in 1965. It was here, at the Varsity Restaurant in Cambridge, that she first crossed paths with Rajiv Gandhi, who was then pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College. Their meeting marked the beginning of a profound relationship, although Sonia’s father initially harbored reservations about her marrying Rajiv, viewing him as a foreigner from an alien land. The pressure of familial expectations weighed heavily on her, especially during her first encounter with Rajiv’s mother, Indira Gandhi, in London, which was so nerve-wracking that Rajiv had to reschedule the meeting to ease her anxiety.

Sonia’s first visit to India occurred on January 13, 1968, an event that would shape her future significantly. She was welcomed at the Delhi airport by Rajiv, his brother Sanjay, and the iconic Amitabh Bachchan. Before her marriage, she stayed with the Bachchans at their lavish Wellington Crescent House, where she was engaged to Rajiv on January 26, 1968—India’s Republic Day—and married him shortly thereafter on February 25, 1968, a date that coincided with Vasant Panchami, the same day Indira married Feroz Gandhi years earlier. The pre-wedding festivities included a joyful Mehendi ceremony at the Bachchans’ home, encapsulating the warmth and enthusiasm surrounding their union.

After marrying Rajiv, Sonia embraced her new life and cultural environment, initially learning Hindi to connect with her husband’s heritage while already being proficient in French. The couple often made memories zipping around Delhi on a Lambretta scooter, enjoying the simplicity of life together. However, their journey was not without tragedy; Sonia experienced a miscarriage before the birth of their first child, Rahul. During these formative years, she developed a deep bond with her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, whom she cherished as a mother figure. In a heartbreaking twist, Sonia was the first to witness Indira’s bloodied body after her assassination on October 31, 1984, an event that left an indelible mark on her life. Following this tragedy, Sonia implored Rajiv not to accept the role of Prime Minister, fearing for his safety.

The assassination of her husband Rajiv in 1991 at an election rally in Tamil Nadu forced Sonia into a life of seclusion for nearly six years, as she grappled with the profound loss. Eventually, after much persuasion from colleagues and Congress workers, she stepped into the political arena in 1997, marking a pivotal turn in her life. Beyond her political pursuits, Sonia has also penned two books—*Rajiv* and *Rajiv’s World*—that reflect on her experiences and memories. Her connection to India is also symbolized in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana, where a temple dedicated to her stands, an expression of gratitude for the creation of a separate Telangana state. Additionally, Sonia’s affection for animals is evident in her love for her pet Jack Russell Terrier, Noorie, showcasing a softer side to her multifaceted life.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.