Smt. Sonia Gandhi - mother of two children, patron of many national trusts, museums and child welfare associations and a keen student of Indian history and culture - entered public life after seven long years of public demand and persuasion by Congress workers after her husband's demise (Rajiv Gandhi laid down his life in the cause of the Nation and became the target of a vicious terrorist attack on the night of May 21, 1991). She campaigned vigorously for the Congress on the eve of the 1998 Parliamentary elections and was elected Party President in April, 1998. 

Before entering politics Smt. Sonia Gandhi had spent a considerable part of her time in the work of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. It was during her association with the Foundation that she devoted special attention to the welfare of women, children and disabled as well as application of Science and Technology for the cause of the common man.

She is also patron of the prestigious Round Square (International Group of Schools based on the principles of education of Dr. Kust Hahn) and Indian member, International Advisory Group of the United Nation (set up to mark the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Organization).

Devoting herself to yet another area of service, Smt. Sonia Gandhi is working for the cause of weaker sections, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, poor and orphan children. She is the Chairperson of the Indian Council for Child Welfare, She also presides over the activities of the Nehru Trust for Cambridge University. 

As Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi supervised the sincere efforts of the Congress Party to provide relief to the victims during the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake. 

Smt. Sonia Gandhi was elected to the Lok Sabha in October, 1999 from Amethi Parliamentary Constituency in Uttar Pradesh with a record majority of more than three hundred thousand votses. She is leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Biographical Sketch 

Married to Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1968. 

One son, Shri Rahul Gandhi and one daughter, Smt. Priyanka Vadhra 

Educated at Cambridge (U.K.) 

From March 1998 onwards 
President of the Indian National Congress 
Chairperson, Congress Parliamentary Party 

Elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha 

Author of 
Rajiv 
Rajiv's World 

Edited 
Freedom's Daughter 
Rajiv's World 

Chairperson 
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation 
Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust 
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund 
Nehru Trust for Cambridge University 
Kamala Nehru Memorial Society and Hospital 
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library 
Indian Council for Child Welfare Trust 
Swaraj Bhawan Trust 

Patron 
Round Square (International Group of Schools, United Kingdom)