Who Is Gyanendra of Nepal? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on July 7, 1947, Gyanendra of Nepal is now 77 years old. He served as the last King of Nepal, with two reigns spanning from 1950 to 1951 and then from 2001 to 2008. His tenure as king was marked by significant political turmoil and the eventual abolition of the monarchy in Nepal. Gyanendra was born into the Shah dynasty and became widely recognized for his royal lineage and the controversies surrounding his leadership.
| Occupation | King |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1947 |
| Age | 77 Years |
| Birth Place | Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Nepal |
Popularity
Gyanendra of Nepal's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Gyanendra has maintained a distinguished presence throughout his life. Although specific details about his physique are not commonly discussed, he is often described as having a robust stature typical of members from royal families. Historically, he has been portrayed in ceremonial attire, reflective of Nepali royalty.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gyanendra is a private man when it comes to his personal life. He is married to Komal Shah, and together they have two children, a son named Hridayendra and a daughter named Prerana. Throughout his life, Gyanendra has kept his family largely out of the public eye, focusing instead on his royal obligations and responsibilities.
After his birth, his father was told by a court astrologer not to look at his newborn son because it would bring him bad luck, so Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother.
Net Worth and Salary
While exact figures surrounding Gyanendra's net worth are not publicly disclosed, it is estimated that his wealth extends into millions of dollars. This wealth is attributed to his royal lineage, properties, and potential investments. Despite the fall of the monarchy, Gyanendra's historical significance in Nepal continues to bolster his status within society.
Despite having all of the properties he inherited from his late brother King Birendra nationalized, the former king still retained all of his wealth prior to his enthronement.
Having been a state connected businessman, the former king is said to have inherited huge fortunes from his family members and still runs many lucrative businesses through investments and is widely believed to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
In 2008, journalist Surya Thapa stated that King Gyanendra had an investment of at least not any million in 35 companies throughout Nepal and possibly more abroad. His investment in Soaltee Hotel alone was estimated to be around $100 million in 2008 with a 47% stake.
Furthermore, the former king is reported to have 54% stake in Himalayan Goodricke Tea, 39% stake in Surya Nepal Tobacco, stakes in Annapurna Hotel which he inherited from aunt Princess Helen, large tea plantations in Itahari, and stakes in Himal International Power Corporation, Jyoti spinning mill in Birgunj, Narayanghat brewery, a Toyota and Tata
distributorship, Laxmi Rosin Turpentine Pvt Ltd, Bhotekoshi power company, Sipradi Trading Pvt Ltd, Gorkha Lawrie Pvt Ltd, Amaravati Pvt Ltd, an island in the Maldives and oil interests in Nigeria.
Career, Business and Investments
Gyanendra’s career has largely revolved around his role as a member of the royal family. After he stepped down from the throne, he has been involved in various philanthropic and cultural endeavors. While he has not indicated any specific business ventures, his royal background provides him with various opportunities in investments, particularly in tourism and culture in Nepal.
In April 2006, the seven-party alliance and the then banned CPN Maoist party in an underground manner staged protests and strikes in Kathmandu against King Gyanendra's direct rule. The royal government exercised minimum restraint but declared a curfew to control the deteriorating situation, which was enforced with live firearms and tear gas.
After 23 protesters were killed, on 21 April 2006, King Gyanendra announced that he would yield executive authority to a new prime minister chosen by the political parties to oversee the return of democracy. Several party leaders rejected the offer and again demanded that the King call a council to determine the monarchy's future role in politics.
An agreement was reached between the parties under the supervision of the Indian ruling Congress that the monarchy would have a place in the new constitution. Girija Prasad Koirala was appointed prime minister in the interim. Girija Prasad, as the main leader, had talks with the King and the agreement for monarchy's position.
As such, on 24 April 2006, Gyanendra reinstated the previous parliament in a televised address to the nation.
Social Network
Although Gyanendra may not be extremely active on social media, he has a significant presence within Nepal's cultural and political arena. He is often invited to various national events, which provides him with a platform to connect with Nepal's current leaders and the public.
Senior journalist P. Kharel told BBC Nepali service in an interview that King Gyanendra lost his throne when he refused to make Nepal "a protectorate like Bhutan". King Gyanendra's Honorary Royal ADC Late Bharat Keshar Simha also expressed the same during an interview with Jibram Bhandari on Sagarmatha TV.
Education
Gyanendra received his early education in Nepal before moving to India for higher studies. He attended St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling, where he received a formal education reflective of a royal upbringing. His education has enabled him to navigate his role within the monarchy and beyond effectively.
Gyanendra studied with his elder brother King Birendra at St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling, India; in 1969, he graduated from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. He served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Coronation of his brother King Birendra in 1975.
He is a keen conservationist and served as chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (later known as the National Trust for Nature Conservation) from 1982 until his reaccession to the throne in 2001.
