Sonia Gandhi revisits love story with Rajiv in Cambridge in forthcoming memoir

New Delhi, Oct 24 : Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has opened a deeply personal chapter of her life, recalling how she first met her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge, England, nearly six decades ago. Her recollections offer a glimpse into their love, companionship and the memories that continue to remain close to her heart.

"In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge, my journey of love began. Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On November 10, I share that world with you," Sonia Gandhi wrote in her first post on X while announcing her forthcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.

The memoir, scheduled for release on November 10, promises to offer an intimate account of her personal journey, from her childhood in post-war Italy to her life in India, her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi and the experiences that shaped her identity and public life.

Recalling their first meeting, Sonia said Rajiv's gentle personality was what initially attracted her to him. Although she found him handsome, it was his gentleness that left a lasting impression.

"Of course he was very good-looking, but he was a very gentle-looking person. That gentleness came through. That was something that really touched me and struck me. I'll never forget when I first met him," she recalled.

The meeting took place at The Varsity, a Greek restaurant in Cambridge that Sonia frequented during her years in England. A common friend introduced the two, and their acquaintance gradually developed into friendship and love. They began spending time together, attending parties and meeting friends.

Sonia recalled that she felt almost immediately that Rajiv was someone she would love to be with. She later discovered that her feelings were mutual.

Their relationship eventually culminated in marriage in 1968. The couple built a family together, and their children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, became the centre of their lives.

However, their happy family life was marked by profound tragedy. In 1984, Rajiv's mother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated. On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu while campaigning for the Congress during the Lok Sabha elections. He was 46.

His assassination brought an end to the life Sonia had envisioned with her husband and left her to raise their two children. The personal tragedy also became a defining moment in India's political history.

Through her forthcoming memoir, Sonia appears set to revisit Rajiv not merely as a former Prime Minister, but as the young man she met in Cambridge, her husband, companion and the father of her children.

The book's title, Belonging: A Journey of Love, reflects themes of love, duty, family, identity, loss and resilience. It also explores Sonia's journey from Italy to India and her efforts to build a home in an unfamiliar country before becoming a prominent figure in Indian public life.

A day before announcing the memoir on X, Sonia shared its first glimpse on Instagram, expressing gratitude and anticipation.

"Hello everyone, I'm truly grateful to share this moment with you all: the first look of Belonging: A Journey of Love. It is a story of love, duty, loss, and finding a place to belong. I look forward to sharing it with you," she wrote.

A video accompanying the post showed Sonia receiving the first copies of the book and sharing sweets with her daughter, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The mother and daughter also shared a warm embrace, highlighting the family bond that has endured through the loss of Rajiv.

The memoir is being published internationally by Alfred A. Knopf, while HarperCollins India will handle its release in the country.

Nearly six decades after their first meeting, Sonia's recollection brings attention to the personal story behind one of India's most prominent political families. Her memories of a chance introduction at a restaurant in Cambridge, a friendship that blossomed into love and a life built together offer readers a rare glimpse into the private world she shared with Rajiv Gandhi.

With the memoir set to reach readers on November 10, Sonia is preparing to share a deeply personal account of a love story that began far from India and continues to live on through cherished memories.