Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth23 March 1976
Age49 Years
BirthplaceNew Delhi
ProfessionActress, Model, Politician
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpouseZubin Irani
FamilyChildren: Zohr Irani (son, b. 2001), Zoish Irani (daughter, b. 2003); parents Ajay Kumar Malhotra and Shibani Bagchi
Smriti Irani Biography
Smriti Irani is an Indian actress-turned-politician known for her long-running television work and high-profile roles in the Bharatiya Janata Party. She is
Early life and backgroundSmriti Malhotra Irani was born on 23 March 1976 in New Delhi. Raised in a family with mixed regional roots — Punjabi and Maharashtrian on her father’s side and Bengali-Assamese on her mother’s — she grew up in the national capital. She attended Holy Child Auxilium School in Delhi and later enrolled in the School of Open Learning at the University of Delhi, where she studied commerce but did not complete the full degree. Her formal schooling is reported as having finished through the 12th grade.
Before moving to Mumbai to pursue opportunities in entertainment, Irani considered careers in journalism or the civil services. Early jobs included working as a waitress in Bandra, Mumbai, and participating in the Femina Miss India contest in 1998.
Career
Irani began her on-screen career in the late 1990s, first appearing in a music video and then in television serials. She gained national recognition when she was cast as Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s family drama Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The role made her a household name and ran for several years, establishing her as one of Indian television’s most popular actresses. She also played the mythological role of Sita in a televised Ramayan and worked in other serials and modelling assignments. Her television résumé later expanded to producing and hosting: she produced a TV project for Sony in 2007 and hosted a dance-based reality show the following year. She has acting credits in film as well, including a role in a Bengali feature in 2012.
Irani shifted into politics in 2003 when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Her early party work included contesting the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Chandni Chowk and serving in youth and women’s wings of the party. She was appointed national secretary and later president of the BJP’s Mahila Morcha. In 2011 she became a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.
Her parliamentary and ministerial career grew after the 2014 general election. Although she lost the Amethi Lok Sabha contest that year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named her Minister of Human Resource Development. A cabinet reshuffle later moved her to the Ministry of Textiles, and she was for a time given additional charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In 2019 she contested Amethi again, defeating Rahul Gandhi and becoming Minister of Women and Child Development. She was later given additional charge of the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2022. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election she lost the Amethi seat to a Congress candidate.
Public profile
Irani’s public image combines her television fame with a forceful political presence. She has been one of the BJP’s most visible spokespeople and has taken on several high-profile and sometimes contentious portfolios in government. Her style of functioning and decisions in office have attracted criticism from some quarters, and a number of controversies have been associated with her tenure in ministerial roles. She is known to be a devotee of Lord Ganesha and is reported to be fluent in six languages: Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Bengali.
Personal life
Smriti Irani married Zubin Irani in 2001. The couple have two children together, a son born in 2001 and a daughter born in 2003; the family also includes a stepdaughter. Her parents are Ajay Kumar Malhotra and Shibani Bagchi. She lists interests such as yoga, travel, music and playing carrom.
Latest updates
Irani’s most recent high-profile electoral outcome came in 2024 when she lost the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Her ministerial responsibilities over the years have included Human Resource Development, Textiles, Information and Broadcasting (additional charge) and Women and Child Development, with an added charge of Minority Affairs in 2022.
Throughout her career, Smriti Irani has moved from entertainment to frontline national politics, combining the recognition she gained on television with a series of senior roles within the BJP and the Union Cabinet.
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Recent Work
Served as Union Minister after winning the Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2019; given additional charge of the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2022.
2019–2022Contested the Amethi seat in 2024 and lost to a Congress candidate.
2024Career Highlights
- Became a national television star as Tulsi Virani on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
- Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003 and rose to national secretary and Mahila Morcha president
- Appointed Minister of Human Resource Development in 2014
- Won Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2019 and served as Minister of Women and Child Development
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Smriti Irani born?
Smriti Irani was born on 23 March 1976.
What is Smriti Irani known for?
Smriti Irani is known for actress, Model, Politician.
What is Smriti Irani’s marital status?
Smriti Irani's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Smriti Irani married to?
Smriti Irani is publicly listed as married to Zubin Irani.
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