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Sonia Gandhi: Excellent chef to Congress president, 10 interesting facts you didn't know about her

Sonia Gandhi, one of the most powerful women in our country has seen it all, from being a foreign wife of Rajiv Gandhi to holding the post of presidentship in the country's grand old party Congress, she has gone to various ups and downs in her life. Reluctant to be a politician initially, she was just like any of us, loves to cook, a fan of Hindi legend writer Munshi Premchand etc. Today on her birthday, here are 10 interesting facts about one of the most influential figures in Indian politics.
Sonia Gandhi, one of the most powerful women in our country has seen it all, from being a foreign wife of Rajiv Gandhi to holding the post of presidentship in the country's grand old party Congress, she has gone to various ups and downs in her life. Reluc
Sonia Gandhi, one of the most powerful women in our country has seen it all, from being a foreign wife of Rajiv Gandhi to holding the post of presidentship in the country's grand old party Congress, she has gone to various ups and downs in her life. Reluc
IANS
Updated on: 
2 min read
Sonia Gandhi is not her real name. Her full name was Antonia Evige Albina Maino. IN PIC: Sonia Gandhi, Congress President with her husband and former Prime Minister Lt. Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi is not her real name. Her full name was Antonia Evige Albina Maino. IN PIC: Sonia Gandhi, Congress President with her husband and former Prime Minister Lt. Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo | PTI)
As a college student, she took up a job as a waitress at a Greek restaurant (the Varsity Restaurant in Cambridge) to pay her bills. There she met a young Indian, Rajiv Gandhi, a scion of the politically powerful Nehru–Gandhi family, who was a mechanical engineering student at the University of Cambridge. (Photo | PTI)
As a college student, she took up a job as a waitress at a Greek restaurant (the Varsity Restaurant in Cambridge) to pay her bills. There she met a young Indian, Rajiv Gandhi, a scion of the politically powerful Nehru–Gandhi family, who was a mechanical engineering student at the University of Cambridge. (Photo | PTI)
The first Indian movie she watched with Rajiv Gandhi was Satyajit Ray’s ‘Pather Panchali’. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister Lt. Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. (Express Photo)
The first Indian movie she watched with Rajiv Gandhi was Satyajit Ray’s ‘Pather Panchali’. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister Lt. Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. (Express Photo)
She joined the Congress Party as a primary member in the Calcutta Plenary Session in 1997 and became party leader in 1998. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and Sonia Gandhi at the Gandhi peace prize presentation ceremony at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. (Photo | PTI)
She joined the Congress Party as a primary member in the Calcutta Plenary Session in 1997 and became party leader in 1998. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and Sonia Gandhi at the Gandhi peace prize presentation ceremony at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. (Photo | PTI)
Who doesn't love food? So is Sonia Gandhi, she is an excellent chef. She loves preparing red chilly oil, a base for salad dressing. Early in her marriage she was very fond of cooking and often followed many cookery books. (Express Photo)
Who doesn't love food? So is Sonia Gandhi, she is an excellent chef. She loves preparing red chilly oil, a base for salad dressing. Early in her marriage she was very fond of cooking and often followed many cookery books. (Express Photo)
Sonia is an avid reader of Munshi Premchand’s novels. Amongst that ‘Godaan’ is her favourite. Sonia has a diverse taste in books. IN PIC: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi receives Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Britain at her residence. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia is an avid reader of Munshi Premchand’s novels. Amongst that ‘Godaan’ is her favourite. Sonia has a diverse taste in books. IN PIC: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi receives Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Britain at her residence. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi was listed in 'Time 100 most influential leader of the world for 2007 and 2008'. She was also included as the most powerful woman in the world in the third spot, in Forbes Magazine in 2013. IN PIC: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi (right) receives 'A Woman for Peace 1995' Award from Maria Pia Fanfani, President of the Together for Peace Foundation, at a function. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi was listed in 'Time 100 most influential leader of the world for 2007 and 2008'. She was also included as the most powerful woman in the world in the third spot, in Forbes Magazine in 2013. IN PIC: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi (right) receives 'A Woman for Peace 1995' Award from Maria Pia Fanfani, President of the Together for Peace Foundation, at a function. (Photo | PTI)
She is committed to a strict fitness regime. She does yoga daily and avoids junk food. IN PIC: Sonia Gandhi with CM Lt. J Jayalalithaa. (Express Photo)
She is committed to a strict fitness regime. She does yoga daily and avoids junk food. IN PIC: Sonia Gandhi with CM Lt. J Jayalalithaa. (Express Photo)
She is multilingual and can speak nine languages including French and German. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with his wife Sonia Gandhir and Premadesa, Former Srilankan Prime Minister. (Photo | PTI)
She is multilingual and can speak nine languages including French and German. IN PIC: Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with his wife Sonia Gandhir and Premadesa, Former Srilankan Prime Minister. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi has an estimated net worth of around USD 2 billion. IN PIC: Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and his wife Sonia Gandhi are being received by Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain hosted a private dinner at Zarzuela Palace, Madrid. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi has an estimated net worth of around USD 2 billion. IN PIC: Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and his wife Sonia Gandhi are being received by Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain hosted a private dinner at Zarzuela Palace, Madrid. (Photo | PTI)
Rahul Gandhi
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