Sonia Gandhi, whose birth name is Antonia Edvige Albina Maino, is an Italian-born Indian politician and the widow of the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. She is the former President of the Indian National Congress (INC), one of the major political parties in India. Here is a brief biography of Sonia Gandhi up until my last update in September 2021:
Table of Contents
Early Life
Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946, in Lusiana, a small village near Vicenza in Italy. She met Rajiv Gandhi, the son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while studying in Cambridge, England. They got married in 1968.
Entry into Indian Politics
Sonia Gandhi’s entry into Indian politics was reluctant and came after the assassination of her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991. She was initially hesitant to join politics but eventually became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1998.
Leadership of the Indian National Congress
Under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, the INC achieved significant political victories, including forming a coalition government at the centre. However, she faced criticism due to her Italian origin, though she later became a respected and influential figure in Indian politics.
Declining Prime Ministership
After the 2004 general elections, the INC emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament). Sonia Gandhi was poised to become the Prime Minister of India but declined the position, citing concerns about her foreign origin. Instead, she nominated Manmohan Singh, an economist and senior party leader, as the Prime Minister.
Role in UPA Government
During the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s tenure (2004-2014), Sonia Gandhi played a key role in shaping policies and strategies. The UPA government implemented several social welfare programs, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI), under her influence.
Sonia Gandhi’s Personal Life
- Sonia Gandhi, whose birth name is Edvige Antonia Albina Màino, was born on December 9, 1946, in Lusiana, a small village in Italy. She married Rajiv Gandhi, the son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in 1968. Rajiv Gandhi later became the Prime Minister of India after the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, in 1984. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, Sonia Gandhi chose to stay away from active politics for several years.
- Sonia Gandhi re-entered the political arena in 1997 and assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress party, which had been led by her late husband and mother-in-law. Under her leadership, the Congress party returned to power in the 2004 general elections, leading to her being offered the position of Prime Minister. However, she declined the offer and nominated Dr. Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister. During her tenure as the leader of the Congress party, she served as the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a coalition of political parties.
- Sonia Gandhi has been a prominent political figure in India and has faced both praise and criticism during her political career. She has been re-elected as the President of the Indian National Congress multiple times and played a significant role in Indian politics.
- In terms of her personal life, Sonia Gandhi is known for maintaining a relatively private lifestyle. Details about her personal interests, hobbies, or daily routine are not widely available in the public domain, as she has largely kept her private life away from the media spotlight.
Sonia Gandhi’s Son and Daughter
Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, have two children
- Rahul Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi is the elder son of Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He is a prominent Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He has served in various roles within the party and has been the President of the Indian National Congress. Rahul Gandhi has been a Member of Parliament and has contested several national elections.
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is the younger daughter of Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Like her brother Rahul Gandhi, she is an active politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. Priyanka Gandhi has been involved in political campaigns, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh and has been a key strategist for the Congress party in certain elections.
- Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are prominent figures in Indian politics, continuing the political legacy of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which has played a significant role in Indian politics since the country’s independence in 1947.
Real Name and age
Sonia Gandhi’s mother was Stefano Maino, also known as Sonia Maino. She was born on December 9, 1924, in Lusiana, a small village in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy.
Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946. Therefore, as of that date, she would have been 76 years old. However, please note that her age will change as time progresses, and it’s advisable to check the most recent and accurate information if you’re looking for her current age.
Sonia Gandhi’s real name is Edvige Antonia Albina Màino. After her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, she adopted the name Sonia Gandhi. The transition to her married name is common in many cultures, where individuals often adopt the last name of their spouse. Born on December 9, 1946, in Lusiana, Veneto, Italy, she became a prominent figure in Indian politics following her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family and a former Prime Minister of India.
