Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Indian Politician
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	20/08/1944
Age	46 years (died on 21, May, 1991)
Birthplace	Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Date of Death	21/05/1991

Latest News about Rajiv Gandhi

21/05/2026

Congress leaders paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 35th death anniversary on 21 May 2026. He was killed by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, while campaigning for the Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha seat.

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Bio/Wiki

Political Party	Indian National Congress
Political Journey	Upon the command of his mother, Indira Gandhi, he stepped into politics in 1980 after his brother Sanjay's death. Contested from his late brother's constituency, Amethi, in 1981 and won. Became the general secretary of INC in 1982 and organized the 1982 Asian Games. Named the Prime Minister of India after the assassination of his mother. Became Prime Minister of India on 31 October 1984, hours after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi, becoming the youngest Prime Minister of India at age 40. Led the Congress party to a record 401 seats out of 508 in the 1984 elections. Served as Prime Minister until December 1989 when the Congress party lost the general election. Became Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and resigned in December 1990.
Cause of Death	Assassination
Prime Minister Term	31/10/1984 - 02/12/1989
Death Details	Assassinated on 21 May 1991 in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai (formerly Madras) by an LTTE suicide bomber while campaigning for the Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha Congress candidate
Full Name	Rajiv Ratna Gandhi

Physical Stats & More

Height	178 cm (5' 10")
Weight	72 kg (159 lbs)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

School	Shiv Niketan School Welham Boys' School, Dehradun The Doon School, Dehradun
College	Trinity College, Cambridge Imperial College, London Delhi Flying Club, New Delhi
Degree	Trained Pilot

Personal Life

Religion	Hinduism
Hobbies	Cycling
Blood Group	O-negative

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married
Wife	Sonia Gandhi (m. 1968-1991)
Children	Rahul Gandhi (Indian Politician) Priyanka Gandhi (Indian Politician)

Family

Father	Late Feroze Gandhi (Former Indian Politician)
Mother	Late Indira Gandhi (Former Indian Politician, assassinated 31 October 1984)
Brother	Late Sanjay Gandhi (Former Indian Politician & trained Pilot)
Grandfather	Jawaharlal Nehru (First Prime Minister of India)

Career

Major Controversies	The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 Bofors Scandal Issue of black money in Swiss accounts Alleged funds from KGB Bofors Scandal - allegations of receiving kickbacks from a Swedish company manufacturing Bofors machine-guns IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and alleged strong-arm tactics against the LTTE
Key Achievements	Youngest Prime Minister of India at age 40 Received the largest electoral mandate in Indian history with 401 seats in 1984 Focused on modernizing India and increasing investments in technology, science, and infrastructure Initiated the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) deployment to Sri Lanka

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Rajiv Gandhi initially did not desire a political career and was pressured into it by his mother.
2. He implemented economic reforms to open up and modernize the economy.
3. He survived an assassination plot in 1987.
4. Gandhi took charge of Operation Black Thunder to remove weapons from extremists at the Golden Temple.
5. During his election campaign in May 1991, he was assassinated.
6. After his death, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna and recognized as a 'Revolutionary Leader of Modern India.'
7. He spent much of his childhood with his grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru at Teen Murti House.
8. He was a trained pilot before entering politics.

Rajiv Gandhi Indian Politician Indian Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India