Who Is Birendra of Nepal? Age, Biography and Wiki
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, born on December 29, 1945, was the King of Nepal from 1972 until his death in 2001. As of 2025, he would have been 79 years old. King Birendra was known for his commitment to the development of the nation and his efforts to modernize Nepal. His unexpected assassination in June 2001 shocked the nation, leading to significant changes in the monarchy and governance of Nepal.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 29, 1945 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Nepal |
| Date of death | 1 June, 2001 |
| Died Place | Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal |
Popularity
Birendra of Nepal's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
King Birendra was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm). While detailed records of his weight are not available, it is believed that he maintained a healthy physique throughout his life, which was reflective of his active lifestyle and engagement in various sports, particularly polo.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Birendra was married to Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah in 1970, and together they had three children: Crown Prince Dipendra, Prince Nirajan, and Princess Shruti. His family was deeply entrenched in the history and politics of Nepal, and his untimely death was a devastating blow to the Shah dynasty and the nation. Post his death, his legacy continues to inspire and shape the royal family, particularly his son, King Gyanendra.
Birendra spent eight years studying at St Joseph's School, a Jesuit school in Darjeeling, with his brother Gyanendra. On 13 March 1955, their grandfather King Tribhuvan died and their father succeeded the Nepalese throne. With his father's ascension, Birendra became the crown prince of Nepal.
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding King Birendra's net worth at the time of his death are difficult to ascertain, it is widely acknowledged that members of the Nepalese royal family held substantial wealth, primarily through land ownership and investments. Estimates suggest the royal family's wealth in the millions; however, exact figures remain undisclosed due to the nature of royal finances.
Career, Business and Investments
Birendra's reign is noted for substantial agricultural and infrastructural developments in Nepal. He aimed to promote tourism, improve education, and foster better diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. Although he did not engage in business in the conventional sense, his policies and royal initiatives supported various sectors, which have long-lasting impacts on Nepal's economy.
Birendra is initially credited for devising the plan of Melamchi water project to Kathmandu. Gorakhali Tires Industries, Udayapur Cement Industries Limited, Nepal Metal company, Nepal Pharmaceuticals were all established during his time. King Birendra, was the patron of Pashupati Area Development Trust.
In April 1979, Nepal Oriental Magnesite factory was established with a joint investment of Nepal government and Orissa Industries, India at Lakuri Danda in Dolakha District with the objective of producing dead burnt magnesite and talc powder.
In 1983 he was able to establish a Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission bringing in significant foreign investments in the country.
Social Network
In 2025, the legacy of King Birendra continues to be celebrated through various community events and memorials across Nepal. His contributions are often highlighted in social networks and royal events, with many royalists sharing their memories and honoring his vision for a prosperous Nepal.
Recognizing low literacy levels as the main hindrance to national progress, King Birendra made development of education system his national priority. The five year plan starting from 1971 was mainly focused in building new educational institutions and upgrading the efficiency of the current education system.
On the auspicious occasion of his coronation, King Birendra declared primary education to be free for all Nepalese citizens. Similarly, in 1978 with a royal approval all educational material started to be distributed free of costs to educational institutions.
King Birendra became the patron of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology which worked in the field of developing science and technology in the nation. He established Mahendra Sanskrit University in 1986 to preserve the language and culture in the region.
Dowry system was criminalized in Nepal in 1976 under the Social Practices Reform Act (2033 B.S). Under the five year plan, King Birendra started the policy of National Service which required the post-graduate students to contribute their one-year of service to the development works in the rural areas.
He initiated the process of preserving the history by establishing Natural History Museum in 1975. On 22 September 1976 he enacted Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 prohibiting the trade, smuggling or any kind of drug trafficking in the country.
Education
King Birendra was educated at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu and later attended the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling, India, and subsequently the University of Tokyo in Japan. His education played a crucial role in forming his views on governance, modernization, and international diplomacy, which he carried into his reign.
In 1959, Birendra was enrolled at Eton College in the United Kingdom. After studying at Eton until 1964, he returned to Nepal where he began to explore the country by traveling on foot to the remote parts of the country where he lived humbly with what was available in the villages.
He later completed his education by spending some time at the University of Tokyo, before studying political theory at Harvard University from 1967 to 1968. Birendra enjoyed travelling in his youth, and went on trips to Canada, Latin America, Africa, many parts of India, and a number of other Asian countries.
He was also an art collector and supporter of Nepalese craftspeople and artists and learned to fly helicopters.
