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Anandiben Patel Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 November 1941

Age83 Years

BirthplaceKharod village, Mehsana, Gujarat

ProfessionPolitician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (Separated)

SpouseMafatlal Patel

FamilySon - Shwetank (Sanjay) Patel; Daughter - Anar Jayesh Patel; Parents - Jethabhai and Menaben Patel; Nine siblings

Anandiben Patel Biography

Anandiben Patel is an Indian teacher-turned-politician who became Gujarat’s first woman chief minister and has served in several gubernatorial posts. A BJP

Early life and background
Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel was born on 21 November 1941 in Kharod village, Mehsana district, Gujarat. Raised in a farming family, she attended local schools and went on to earn a BSc from M. G. Panchal Science College and advanced degrees from Gujarat Vidyapith, where she completed an MSc, MEd and BEd and graduated with distinction. Active in athletics as a student, she was a district-level champion in track and field for three consecutive years.

She began her professional life in education. After moving to Ahmedabad, Anandiben worked as a maths and science teacher at Mohiniba Girls’ Vidyalaya in 1967 and was promoted to principal a year later. Early in her career she was recognized for bravery and service: she received awards for saving two schoolgirls from drowning and later earned teacher-of-the-year honours at state and national levels.

Career
Anandiben entered politics after a high-profile rescue incident in 1987 brought her into the public eye. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party the same year and became active in its women’s wing. Over time she held a number of organisational posts including president of the state women’s front, vice president of the state unit, and membership of the BJP’s national executive.

Her parliamentary career began with a Rajya Sabha nomination in 1994. In 1998 she left the Upper House to contest state elections and won the Mandal assembly seat in Ahmedabad. She was appointed Gujarat’s Minister of Education and held portfolios related to primary, secondary and adult education, as well as women and child welfare. During her years as education minister she was credited with initiatives that improved female literacy and reduced girl-child dropout rates.

Anandiben was re-elected to the Gujarat assembly in 2002 and 2007 from the Patan constituency. Between 2007 and 2013 she served in several key departments as minister, including revenue, roads and buildings, disaster management, urban development and housing, and capital projects. As revenue minister she introduced administrative reforms such as Janseva Kendras, e-governance measures, a single-window clearance system and online land records.

In the 2012 elections she won a fourth assembly term contesting from Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad. On 24 May 2014 she reached a career milestone by becoming the first woman chief minister of Gujarat.

Subsequent posts
After serving as chief minister, Anandiben went on to occupy gubernatorial responsibilities. She served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from January 2018 to July 2019 and held the additional charge of Governor of Chhattisgarh from August 2018 until July 2019. From July 2019 she has been serving as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.

Public profile
Anandiben’s rise from schoolteacher to senior political leader made her a prominent figure in Gujarat and beyond. She is sometimes referred to by honorifics reflecting her reputation in the state. Her career has been recognised with a variety of awards spanning education, community service and local honours, and she was listed among the top 100 most influential people in India by a national newspaper in 2014.

Personal life
Anandiben married Mafatlal Patel, a psychology professor, on 29 May 1962. The couple have two children: a son, Shwetank (Sanjay) Patel, and a daughter, Anar Jayesh Patel. Reports indicate that Anandiben and her husband began living separately in 1985 but did not legally divorce. Her parents were Jethabhai and Menaben Patel, and she is one of ten siblings.

Latest updates
As of the most recent information, Anandiben Patel continues to serve as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Her long public life spans roles as an educator, a multi-term legislator, cabinet minister holding several portfolios, Gujarat’s first woman chief minister and a state governor.
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Recent Work

Governor of Uttar Pradesh

Serving as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh (from 20 July 2019 — present).

2019-present
Governor of Madhya Pradesh

Served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh (23 January 2018 — 28 July 2019).

2018-2019
Governor of Chhattisgarh (additional charge)

Held additional charge as Governor of Chhattisgarh (15 August 2018 — 28 July 2019).

2018-2019
Chief Minister of Gujarat

Served as Chief Minister of Gujarat (24 May 2014 — 7 August 2016).

2014-2016
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Career Highlights

  1. First female Chief Minister of Gujarat
  2. Long-serving legislator and senior BJP leader since 1987
  3. Education minister credited with improving female literacy and reducing girl-child dropouts in Gujarat
  4. Introduced administrative reforms as Revenue Minister including Janseva Kendras and e-governance measures
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Anandiben Patel born?

21 November 1941

What is Anandiben Patel known for?

Politician

What is Anandiben Patel’s marital status?

Married (Separated)

Who is Anandiben Patel married to?

Mafatlal Patel