Sonia Gandhi Biography: Sonia Gandhi, whose real name is Edvige Antonia Albina Maino, is the Indian National Congress’s (the left-wing political party) Interim President. In 1983, Sonia Gandhi became an Indian citizen. This year, Congresswoman Sonia Gandhi will celebrate her 76th birthday in Ranthambore, where it appears that Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi will also be there.
The Indian National Congress, a left-leaning political organization, now has Sonia Gandhi (Edvige Antonia Albina Maino) serving as its interim president. In 1998, seven years after her husband Rajiv Gandhi, the then-prime minister, was assassinated, she became the head of the party. In 1983, Sonia became an Indian citizen.
Sonia Gandhi Biography
| Full Name | Sonia Gandhi |
| Date of Birth | 09 Dec 1946 (Age 77) |
| Place of Birth | Lusiana, Italy |
| Party name | Indian National Congress |
| Education | Others |
| Profession | Politician |
| Father’s Name | Stefano Maino |
| Mother’s Name | Paola Maino |
| Spouse’s Name | Late Rajiv Gandhi |
| Spouse’s Profession | Former Prime Minister |
| Children | 1 Son(s) 1 Daughter(s) |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Caste | Kashmiri Pandit |
| Permanent address | R/O 40, Janpath, New Delhi, Persently At Rae Bareli |
| Present address | 10, Janpath,New Delhi – 110 011 |
Education Qualification
In 1964, She completed a three-year program at Instituto Santa Teresa in foreign languages.
She completed a certificate program in English at Cambridge’s Lenox Cook School in 1965.
Interesting Facts about Sonia Gandhi
- In her childhood, she was very fond of Football and used to play Football with the children in her neighborhood. Before her marriage, she stayed with the Bachchans at their Wellington Crescent House.
- She was engaged to Rajiv on 26 January 1968 (Republic Day of India) and married him On 25 February 1968, Vasant Panchami Day, the same day when Indira married Feroz Gandhi decades earlier.
- Her Mehandi Ceremony (a day before the marriage) took place at Bachchan’s house.
- Before her marriage, she was well-versed in French and after her marriage, she learned Hindi, initially with a tutor at home and later at an institute.
- She has authored two books – Rajiv and Rajiv’s World. She edited two volumes of letters exchanged between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi between 1922 and 1964, entitled “Freedom’s Daughter” and “Two Alone, Two Together.”
- She is particularly interested in issues related to the environment, empowerment of the disadvantaged, especially women, and the welfare of children.
- Her other interests include reading Indian contemporary, classical, and tribal art, Indian handlooms and handicrafts, and both folk and classical music. She has a diploma in the conservation of oil paintings from the National Museum in New Delhi.
Political Timeline
| 2023 – Incumbent | Sonia Chairs of the I.N.D.I.A. coalition. |
| 2019 | Following the resignation of Rahul Gandhi as the INC President, Sonia Gandhi stepped in as the interim president. |
| 2014 | In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, she won the Lok Sabha seat from Raebareli for the 4th term. |
| 2009 | In the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, she was re-elected from the Raebareli constituency for the third term. |
| 2006 | She was re-elected from her constituency Raebareli Uttar Pradesh. |
| 2004 | In the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections, she won the Lok Sabha seat from Raebareli Uttar Pradesh. On 16 May 2004, she was chosen as the leader of a 15-party coalition government named as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). |
| 1999 | She was elected the Leader of the Opposition of the 13th Lok Sabha. |
| 1999 | She contested Lok Sabha elections from Amethi Uttar Pradesh and Bellary Karnataka and won both seats. |
| 1998 | She became the Party Leader of the Indian National Congress party. |
| 1997 | Sonia Gandhi joined the Indian National Congress party as a Primary Member. |
Achievements
- Gandhi was seen as the most powerful politician in India from 2004 – 2014 and was variously listed among the most powerful people and women listings by magazines.
- In 2013, Sonia Gandhi was ranked 21st among the world’s most powerful and 9th most powerful women by Forbes Magazine.
- In 2007, she was named the third most powerful woman in the world by the same magazine and was ranked 6th in an exclusive list in 2007.
- In 2010, Gandhi was ranked as the ninth most powerful person on the planet by Forbes magazine. She was ranked 12 in 2012 in Forbes powerful people list.
- Sonia was also named among the Time 100 most influential people in the world for the years 2007 and 2008. New Statesman listed at number 29 in their annual survey of “The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures” in the year 2010.
- In 2008 she was conferred a Honorary Doctorate (Literature) from the University of Madras.
- In 2006 she was conferred a Honorary Doctorate from Brussels University.
- In 2006 she was conferred a Order of King Leopold from the Government of Belgium
Net Worth
| Net Worth | ₹11.83 CRORE |
| ASSETS | ₹11.83 CRORE |
Sonia Gandhi Election Results
| Year | Election | Type | Constituency | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Parliament election | MP | Rae Bareli | WON |
| 2014 | Parliament election | MP | Rae Bareli | WON |
| 2009 | Parliament election | MP | Rae Bareli | WON |
| 2004 | Parliament election | MP | Rae Bareli | WON |
| 1999 | Parliament election | MP | Amethi | WON |
| 1999 | Parliament election | MP | Bellary | WON |
Latest News & Updates
Sonia Gandhi all geared up for campaigning in Gujarat
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is ready to campaign in Gujarat ahead of its 2022 Assembly Elections.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and many other seniors are also planned to join them as per the latest update.
Moreover, Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be a part of the campaign.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi appeared together at Karnataka’s Mandya
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today appeared at Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing program Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Yatra resumed in Karnataka’s Mandya district post two days break.
Sonia Gandhi reaches Mysore for Bharat Jodo Yatra
Sonia Gandhi today reached Mysore for INC’s ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra scheme in Karnataka. The Congress president will also take participation in the program on October 6.
Recognitions
- In March 2013, The Guardian listed Sonia Gandhi as one of the fifty best dressed.
- In 2013, Sonia was ranked 21st among the world’s most powerful and 9th most powerful woman by Forbes Magazine.
- In 2012, ranked 12 in the most powerful people list by Forbes Magazine.
- In 2010, ranked as the ninth most powerful person on the planet by Forbes. The same year New Stateman listed Sonia Gandhi at number 29 in their annual survey of the World’s 50 Most Influential Figures.
- In 2007, Sonia Gandhi was named as the third most powerful woman in the world by the Forbes Magazine and ranked 6th in the exclusive list of the Magazine.
- In 2007 and 2008, Sonia was listed in Time 100 most influential people in the world.
- In 2008, Sonia Gandhi was awarded Honorary Doctorate (Literature) by University of Madras.
- In 2006, was awarded Order of King Leopold and Honorary Doctorate by Government of Belgium and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) respectively.
The Books upon Sonia Gandhi
- An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny in 2011, A biography was written by Rani Singh.
- Tryst with India by Nurul Islam Sarkar.
- The Red Sari: A Dramatized Biography of Sonia Gandhi by Javier Moro.
- A Biography by Rasheed Kidwai, The Accidental Prime Minister by Sanjaya Baru in 2014.
Leave a Reply