This comprehensive biography delves into the life and career of Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in Indian politics. From his family background to his political journey and controversies, we explore various aspects of his public life.
Biography/Wiki
Rahul Gandhi was born on June 19, 1970 (age 54 as of 2024) in New Delhi, India. His early education included St. Columba’s School in Delhi and The Doon School in Dehradun. Following his father’s assassination, he and his sister, Priyanka, were homeschooled due to security concerns related to the Sikh extremism that followed Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
He began his higher education at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, before transferring to Harvard University. After his father, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, he moved to Rollins College in Florida, using the alias “Raul Vinci” for security reasons. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 and later earned an M.Phil in Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge.
Post-graduation, he worked at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm in London, before becoming a director at Backops Services Private Ltd., a Mumbai-based technology firm.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
- Weight (approx.): 70 kg
- Hair Colour: Dark Brown
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family, Girlfriend & Caste
Rahul Gandhi hails from the Nehru-Gandhi family, a prominent political dynasty. He identifies as a Kashmiri Brahmin, although his grandfather, Feroze Gandhi, was Parsi. His parents are the late Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
He has one sibling, Priyanka Vadra. His alleged past relationships include Veronique Cartelli and Noal Zaher.
Career
Rahul Gandhi entered politics in 2004, winning the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi. He served as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee and held leadership positions in the Indian Youth Congress and National Students Union of India.
He was appointed Vice-President of the Indian National Congress in 2013 and became the party president in 2017. He later resigned from the presidency in 2019, taking responsibility for the party’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections. He won the Wayanad seat in 2019, but lost his traditional Amethi seat. His subsequent disqualification and re-entry into Parliament added further twists to his political journey. He was re-elected in 2024 winning both Wayanad and Rae Bareli and later chose to keep Rae Bareli’s seat and ceded Wayanad’s seat to Priyanka Gandhi.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Rahul Gandhi has been embroiled in several controversies, ranging from questions about his educational qualifications to various legal battles and public statements that sparked significant debate.
He faced criticism for comments on Hindu extremism, poverty, and his use of the phrase “chowkidar chor hai” (the watchman is a thief) referring to the then Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also faced scrutiny regarding his alleged British nationality and his involvement in the National Herald case.
His remarks during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, comments at an event in London, and a defamation case related to the “Modi surname” led to further controversies and legal challenges. His recent remarks on the 2023 World Cup final and alleged manhandling of MPs have only added to these.
| Controversy | Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| M.Phil Degree | Discrepancies in official documents. | Ongoing debate and criticism. |
| “Hindu Extremism” Comment | Statement on Hindu extremism being more dangerous than Islamic militancy. | Widespread condemnation. |
| “Poverty is a State of Mind” | Remark during a rally in Allahabad. | Significant criticism. |
| “Modi Surname” Defamation Case | Legal case related to comments on the Modi surname. | Conviction, subsequent bail, and Supreme Court stay. |
Signature
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Salary
As a Member of Parliament, he receives Rs. 1 lakh plus other allowances.
Assets/Properties
His assets include significant investments and property holdings both movable and immovable.
Income
He declared a total income of Rs. 1,02,78,680 for the financial year 2022-23.
Net Worth
His net worth was estimated to be around Rs. 20 crore in April 2024.
Facts
- He is a non-vegetarian.
- He is the great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru.
- He resides at 12, Tughlak Lane, New Delhi.
- His blood group is B (-ve).
- His hobbies include reading, traveling, scuba diving, and free diving.
- He is a black belt in Aikido.
- He is often referred to as “Pappu” on social media.
