Who Is Madhur Jaffrey? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Madhur Jaffrey, born on August 13, 1933, is a celebrated British-American actress, author, and television host known for her influential role in bringing Indian cuisine to the Western world. By 2025, she will be 91 years old and continues to inspire countless individuals with her passion for food and storytelling. With a rich history in both the culinary and entertainment sectors, Jaffrey's legacy is firmly rooted in her ability to connect cultures through cooking.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 13, 1933 |
| Age | 91 Years |
| Birth Place | Civil Lines, Delhi, British India (present-day India) |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Madhur Jaffrey's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Madhur Jaffrey stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm). As a graceful presence both on-screen and in the kitchen, details regarding her weight and body measurements remain relatively private, but she is known for her timeless elegance and health-conscious lifestyle that allows her to continue being active in her various pursuits.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Madhur Jaffrey has been married twice in her life. Her first marriage was to actor and playwright Geoffrey Hayden, with whom she has two daughters, Meera and Sunanda. After their divorce, she married her second husband, Dr. Sanford E. Jaffrey, a significant part of her life until his passing. As of 2025, Jaffrey has chosen to maintain a low profile regarding her personal relationships, opting to focus on her career and family.
She is the fifth of six children of Lala Raj Bans Bahadur (1899–1974) and his wife, Kashmiran Rani (1903–1971). Jaffrey's grandfather, Rai Bahadur Raj Narain (1864–1950), had built a sprawling family compound, named Number 7 Raj Narain Marg, by the Yamuna river amid fruit orchards.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Madhur Jaffrey's estimated net worth is around $10 million. This wealth has been accrued through her successful careers in acting, writing cookbooks, hosting television shows, and her extensive contributions to the culinary arts. Jaffrey’s influence has not only made her a household name but has also provided lucrative opportunities within the sphere of food and entertainment.
Jaffrey decided to pursue acting as a profession. She won a grant from the British government that she could use to pay for education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The head of the British Council in India was impressed by her performance in Auto-da-Fé and offered her a scholarship.
Armed with these two sources of money, Jaffrey arrived at Southampton on 6 December 1955 on the P&O liner RMS Strathmore from Bombay.
Career, Business, and Investments
Madhur Jaffrey’s career spans over several decades, beginning in the 1960s when she first gained fame as an actress in films and television. However, her true passion for cooking led her to become a globally recognized chef and author. With numerous best-selling cookbooks to her credit, including titles such as An Invitation to Indian Cooking, Jaffrey has popularized Indian cuisine around the world.
In addition to her literary success, she has hosted various cooking shows, earning accolades for her educational approach to food. Jaffrey has also engaged in numerous business ventures involving culinary products, making her a savvy investor in the gastronomic arena.
In 1951, Jaffrey joined the Unity Theatre, an English language repertory company founded by Saeed Jaffrey in New Delhi. She auditioned for the role of the Queen's Reader in Jean Cocteau's play The Eagle Has Two Heads just four days before the opening and was cast in the role. The next play that she did with Saeed was Christopher Fry's A Phoenix Too Frequent.
Social Network
As a public figure, Madhur Jaffrey maintains a presence on several social media platforms, where she shares her culinary adventures, recipes, and insights into her life. Her official Instagram account and Facebook page provide fans with a glimpse of her vibrant personality, allowing her to connect with audiences and cooking enthusiasts worldwide.
At home, Jaffrey's family primarily ate food prepared by servants but supervised by the women of the family. They occasionally indulged in Mughlai cuisine bought in the bylanes of Old Delhi, like bedmi aloo, seekh kebab, shami kebab, rumali roti and bakarkhani.
Refugees from Punjab who settled in Delhi after partition brought their own style of cooking. Moti Mahal, a dhaba in Daryaganj, introduced tandoori chicken and then went on to invent butter chicken and dal makhani.
Jaffrey found Punjabi food's simplicity and freshness very enticing and routinely picked up tandoori food from Moti Mahal for family picnics.
Education
Madhur Jaffrey's education played a key role in her artistic development. She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, which honed her acting skills and helped her launch a successful career in film and television. Her passion for cooking was cultivated from her early years in India, enriched by her formal training and experiences in the vibrant culinary culture of her homeland.
In conclusion, Madhur Jaffrey's journey continues to be one of resilience and creativity, as she balances her rich heritage and diverse interests in food and the arts. As we look to the future, her impact on the culinary world and beyond remains profound and inspiring.
In Delhi, Jaffrey attended Queen Mary's Higher Secondary School where her history teacher, Mrs McKelvie, encouraged her to participate in school plays. Jaffrey played the role of Titania in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream followed by the lead role in Robin Hood and His Merry Men.
Jaffrey's brothers, Brij Bans Bahadur and Krishen Bans Bahadur, who were much older than her, were enrolled in St. Stephen's College, Delhi. Every winter, St. Stephen's students put on a Shakespearean play that Jaffrey would watch avidly from the front row.
