Discover the life and legacy of Dayalu Ammal, a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, known for her connection to the influential Karunanidhi family.

Biography/Wiki

Dayalu Ammal, born in 1936 in Tamil Nadu, India, is an 86-year-old widow. She was married to M. Karunanidhi at a young age, becoming his second wife.

She’s known to be a businesswoman who entered the public eye through her marriage to a prominent political leader. Her life, marked by both joy and controversy, offers a glimpse into the complexities of a life intertwined with Tamil Nadu’s political history.

Family, Husband

Dayalu Ammal married M. Karunanidhi in 1946. Their union resulted in four children:

• M. K. Alagiri (Politician)
• M. K. Stalin (Politician)
• M. K. Tamilarasu (Producer)
• Selvi Geetha Kovilam (Daughter)

It’s important to note that Karunanidhi had other marriages, making Dayalu Ammal a stepmother to M. K. Muthu (step-son) and Kanimozhi (step-daughter).

Controversy

Dayalu Ammal’s life wasn’t without its share of controversy. In 2015, she and several others, including DMK MP Kanimozhi and A. Raja, faced trial in a money laundering case related to Kalaignar TV. Her defense cited her suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The case, related to allegations of illegal gratification, concluded in 2017 with the acquittal of all the accused, including Dayalu Ammal.

Salary/Net Worth/Money Factor

As of 2011, Dayalu Ammal’s annual income was reported to be ?64 lakh, and her net worth was estimated at ?15.34 crore. This included significant land holdings and a substantial share in Kalaignar TV.

Facts

• She practices Hinduism.
• She enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes.
• She served as a witness in the 2G spectrum allocation case in 2014.
• She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Sjogren’s syndrome, anemia, and other age-related illnesses in the mid-1980s.
• She maintained a particularly close relationship with her son, Azhagiri.