Maneka Gandhi

About

This Indian Bharatiya Janata Party politician served from 1999 until 2001 as Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and also became a Minister of State, a Member of Parliament for the Pilibhit constituency, and a Union Minister for Women and Child Development.

Before Fame

In her younger years, she was a member of the Indian National Congress Party's Youth Congress. She went on to found a political journal titled Surya.

Trivia

A prominent environmental and animal rights activist, she presided over the International Energy Globe Foundation and founded an organization called People for Animals.

Family Life

Her marriage to fellow politician Sanjay Gandhi resulted in a son named Varun Gandhi who also had a career in politics.

Associated With

Her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, served as Prime Minister of India from 1966 until 1977 and from 1980 until 1984.