Who Is Mayawati? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mayawati, born on January 15, 1956, is a prominent Indian politician who served as the 18th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Known for her impactful leadership and advocacy for social justice, she has left an indelible mark on Indian politics. As of 2025, she is 69 years old and remains an influential figure within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Indian politics at large. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming the Chief Minister showcases her resilience and determination.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1956 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | New Delhi, India |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Mayawati's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Mayawati's height and weight are not widely reported, she is generally considered to have a standard build for women in her demographic. Understanding her height and body statistics is less crucial compared to her political stature and influence.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Known primarily for her political career, Mayawati has kept her personal life relatively private. As of 2025, she remains single, with no publicly confirmed boyfriend or partner. Her focus has predominantly been on her political career and social causes, leaving little room for public relationships. Information about her family remains guarded, but she has often expressed the importance of her late father's influence on her political journey.
Her father Prabhu Das, was a post office employee at Badalpur village, near Dadri in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The sons in the family were sent to private schools, while the daughters went to "low-performing government schools".
Net Worth and Salary
As one of India’s prominent politicians, Mayawati's net worth has been a topic of discussion and curiosity. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $30 million. This wealth primarily comes from her political career, investments in real estate, and various business ventures. Her salary as a politician, although substantial, is only a fraction of her overall earnings.
Mayawati's tenure has attracted praise and criticism. Millions of Dalits across India popularly view her as an icon, and refer to her as Behen-ji (elder sister). She has been praised for her fundraising efforts on behalf of her party and her birthdays have been widely celebrated by her supporters.
On the contrary, the rise in her personal wealth and that of her party have been criticised as indicative of corruption.
Career, Business and Investments
Mayawati's career spans over three decades in Indian politics. First elected in 1995, she has become a significant player in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, advocating for Dalit rights and social justice. In 2025, she continues to serve as the BSP leader, working on various initiatives to enhance the welfare of marginalized communities.
Beyond politics, she has made strategic investments in real estate and other sectors, contributing to her financial growth. Her business acumen is noted, although her primary focus remains on her political aspirations and social advocacy.
Kanshi Ram founded the BSP in 1984. Influenced by B. R. Ambedkar, the party's primary focus is to improve the situation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other disadvantaged groups through policy reform, affirmative action on hiring of members of scheduled castes for government posts, and providing rural development programmes.
Reservation in India is a system whereby a percentage of government positions and seats at universities are reserved for persons of backward classes and scheduled castes and tribes.
Throughout her political career, Mayawati supported reservation in both government and private sectors for backward classes, with an increase in quotas and inclusion of more communities such as religious minorities and economically weak upper castes.
In August 2012 a bill was cleared that starts the process of amending the constitution so that the reservation system can be expanded to promotions in state jobs. Mayawati's career has been called a "miracle of democracy" by former Prime Minister of India P. V. Narasimha Rao.
Millions of Dalit supporters view her as an icon and refer to her as "Behen-ji" (sister).
Her public meetings have been attended by large audiences, who use slogans such as "Kanshi Ram ka mission Adhoora; karegi Behen Mayawati poora" (Kanshi Ram's unfulfilled mission will be completed by Mayawati) and "Behenji tum sangharsh karo; hum tumhare saath hain" (Sister, go ahead with your struggle; we are with you).
Social Network
Mayawati maintains a significant presence on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Facebook, where she garners a considerable following. She uses these platforms to communicate her political messages, engage with supporters, and advocate for social justice and equality. Her online presence reflects her commitment to staying connected with the electorate and the community she represents.
As the Chief Minister, Mayawati gained a reputation for efficient governance and promoting law and order, winning praise even from opposition parties and other rivals. In 2007, MP Umakant Yadav of her own political party, accused in a land grabbing case, was arrested near her dwelling on her orders.
During September–October 2010, at the time of the Ayodhya verdict, her government maintained law and order and the state remained peaceful. Several high-profile criminals and mafia dons were jailed during her terms in office. She called for strong anti-rape laws.
Fewer riots, lowest rapes, and least corruption occurred during her tenure as compared to previous or successive governments. In the 2007-2012 assembly, only 124 MLAs were crorepatis as compared to 271 crorepatis in successive assembly elected in 2012.
Uttar Pradesh achieved higher GDP growth rate at 17 per cent and lesser crimes under Mayawati regime as compared to previous and successive governments.
Education
Mayawati is a well-educated individual, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University. Her education has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of Indian politics. Throughout her career, she has acknowledged the critical role education plays in empowering individuals and communities.
Mayawati studied for her B.A. in 1975 at the Kalindi College, University of Delhi and obtained her LL.B. from the prestigious Faculty of Law, University of Delhi in 1983. She completed a B.Ed. from Meerut University's VMLG College, Ghaziabad, in 1976.
She was working as a teacher in Inderpuri JJ Colony, Delhi, and studying for the Indian Administrative Services exams, when Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other backward castes politician Kanshi Ram visited her family home in 1977.
According to biographer Ajoy Bose, Ram told her: "I can make you such a big leader one day that not one but a whole row of IAS officers will line up for your orders." Kanshi Ram included her as a member of his team when he founded the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 1984. Mayawati was first elected to Parliament in 1989.
