Who Is Neelam Sanjiva Reddy? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, born on May 19, 1913, served as the sixth President of India from 1977 to 1982. He was a distinguished Indian politician and a prominent member of the Indian National Congress party. In 2025, Reddy would be 112 years old if he were still alive, offering a remarkable legacy of leadership and political influence throughout his life.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1913 |
| Age | 83 Years |
| Birth Place | Illur, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India) |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 1 June, 1996 |
| Died Place | Bangalore, Karnataka, India (present-day Bengaluru) |
Popularity
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although there is limited information regarding Reddy's specific height and weight during his lifetime, he was known for his dignified presence which complemented his role as a statesman.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was married to Ramadevi Reddy, and they had three children together. Their family maintained a relatively low profile, focusing more on their personal lives than on public appearances. His relationships reflected a strong sense of commitment to family values, a trait Reddy cherished throughout his lifetime.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his presidency, the financial earnings of public officials in India were not as publicly scrutinized as today. Nonetheless, Reddy, coming from a modest background, is remembered for his straightforward lifestyle and dedication to public service, rather than a focus on wealth accumulation. His contributions to Indian politics are immeasurable, while any figures pertaining to his net worth remain speculative.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was elected on 21 July 1977 and was sworn in as the sixth President of India on 25 July 1977. Reddy worked with three governments, with Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi.
Reddy announced, on the eve of India's thirtieth anniversary of Independence, that he would be moving out of the Rashtrapati Bhawan to a smaller accommodation and that he would be taking a 70 percent pay cut in solidarity with India's impoverished masses.
Career, Business, and Investments
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy’s political career spanned several decades. He served in different capacities within the government:
- Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1973–1978): Reddy was a pivotal figure in the state’s political landscape, advocating for social welfare and economic development.
- President of India (1977–1982): His presidency was marked by a commitment to democracy, and he played a crucial role during times of political uncertainty.
- Political Leader: He was a key member of the Indian National Congress and influenced various policies affecting India's growth.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (19 May 1913 – 1 June 1996) was an Indian politician who served as the president of India, serving from 1977 to 1982.
Beginning a long political career with the Indian National Congress Party in the independence movement, he went on to hold several key offices in independent India – as deputy chief minister of Andhra state and the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, a two-time Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a Union Minister— before becoming the Indian president.
Social Network
During his lifetime, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy maintained a low profile in terms of social media presence, as it was not prevalent. However, his impact on Indian politics led to numerous discussions and conversations on platforms discussing historical political figures.
In response to Jayaprakash Narayan's call for a Total Revolution, Reddy emerged from his political exile in 1975. In January 1977, he was made a member of the Committee of the Janata Party and in March, he fought the General Election from the Nandyal (Lok Sabha constituency) in Andhra Pradesh as a Janata Party candidate.
He was the only non-Congress candidate to be elected from Andhra Pradesh. The Congress Party led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was defeated, ending 30 years of Congress rule in India and a five party coalition with Morarji Desai as its leader came to power. Reddy was unanimously elected Speaker of the Sixth Lok Sabha on 26 March 1977.
However he resigned a few months later to contest in the presidential elections of July 1977. Reddy's second term as Speaker lasted three months and 17 days and remains till date the shortest tenure for anyone to have held that post.
Education
Reddy's education encompassed both academic achievements and practical political training. He completed his schooling in his hometown, later pursuing higher education in liberal arts from the prestigious Presidency College in Chennai. His educational background greatly influenced his understanding of governance and public service.
Born in present-day Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, Reddy completed his schooling at Adayar and joined the Government Arts College at Anantapur. He quit to become an Indian independence activist and was jailed for participating in the Quit India Movement.
He was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1946 as a Congress party representative. Reddy became the deputy chief minister of Andhra State in 1953 and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
He was a union cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi from 1964 to 1967 and Lok Sabha Speaker from 1967 to 1969. He later retired from active politics but returned in 1975, responding to Jayaprakash Narayan's call for "Total Revolution" against the Indira Gandhi Government.
