Bina Ramani is a multifaceted personality, excelling as a socialite, author, designer, artist, and entrepreneur. Her contributions extend to the global luxury and hospitality sectors, solidifying her prominent position.
Wiki/Biography
Bina Ramani’s journey began in Karachi, within a prosperous Sindhi-Sikh family. As the youngest of nine children, she experienced a loving upbringing. At just four years old, her family relocated to India, settling in a lavish villa acquired through her father’s shrewd business dealings. Her father, Tirath Singh Lalvani, was a successful pharmaceutical businessman. Her brothers pursued higher education in London, eventually settling there. She received her primary education at Queen Mary High School, Bombay (now Mumbai). Even at a young age, she displayed a competitive spirit, participating in the National Games at 13, representing Maharashtra.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5’9”
Family
Born to Tirath Singh Lalvani (businessman), Bina has eight siblings: five brothers and three sisters. Her first marriage was to Andy Ramani, an Air India professional in the USA. This marriage lasted 13 years before ending in divorce. She has two daughters from this marriage, one of whom, Malini Ramani, is a renowned fashion designer. Following her divorce, she remarried a Canadian artist, Georges Mailhot.
| Relationship | Name | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Tirath Singh Lalvani | Pharmaceutical Businessman |
| First Husband | Andy Ramani | Air India Professional |
| Second Husband | Georges Mailhot | Canadian Artist |
| Daughter | Malini Ramani | Fashion Designer |
Career
Bina pursued higher education in Decorating Arts in London. She then joined the family’s jewelry design business, gaining valuable experience in sales and marketing. Her time in London also included dressmaking and some modeling. Upon returning to India, she established numerous successful ventures encompassing restaurants, clubs, and fashion boutiques. Her husband, Georges Mailhot, significantly influenced her appreciation for art, leading her to pursue art courses and hold two acclaimed exhibitions—one in New York and another in Delhi.
Facts
- Initially aspired to be an architect but family influenced her towards arts.
- Relocated to England at age 17.
- Her father planned an arranged marriage, but she was romantically involved with Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor.
- Introduced to Shammi Kapoor by Krishna Kapoor (Raj Kapoor’s wife).
- She almost eloped with Shammi Kapoor shortly before marrying Andy Ramani.
- Her first husband, Andy Ramani, had an extramarital affair.
- After the divorce, she returned to India to be closer to her children, establishing a businesswear store to support them. This store was visited by notable figures like Hillary Clinton and Sonia Gandhi.
- She is actively involved in social work, notably assisting rape survivors.
- She authored an autobiography, “Bird in a Banyan Tree.”
