The royal family of Jaipur gathered a remarkable figure in the name of Maharani, Diya Kumari, who was chosen as the new Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan. Born in a family of royals, Diya carved a name for herself in the political world. She is not just a politician but also a socialite, philanthropist, and much more.
Apart from her wavering political persona, Diya Kumari also carries the lineage of her grandfather, Maharaja Man Singh II, who was the last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur. She is outspoken and a true feminist, who never minces her words. Let us delve into some unknown aspects of the Maharani’s royal life.
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Born on January 30, 1971 to Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh and Maharani Padmini Devi. Since Diya Kumari’s father was a decorated officer of the Indian Army, she travelled and studied in various regions of India. As an Army kid, Diya was groomed with discipline and was never given any special treatment. She was not even aware of her royal lineage during her childhood.
She studied at Modern School in Delhi, G.D. Somani Memorial School in Mumbai, and Maharani Gayatri Devi Girl’s Public School in Jaipur. She did her graduation from Maharani College in Jaipur. She also pursued a diploma in Fine Arts Decorative Painting from the Parsons Art and Design School in London.
Diya broke the royal family tradition, where a royal would only get married in the same lineage. The princess fell in love with a commoner, Narendra Singh Rawat, who was a chartered accountant by profession. Diya proved that love is beyond all boundaries and married Narendra in 1977. Her marriage to a commoner created a huge uproar as it was uncommon in royal families.
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Diya and Narendra are parents to three adorable children, Padmanabh Singh, Gauravi Kumari and Lakshraj Prakash Singh. In 2018, Diya and Narendra announced their separation after 21 years of marriage.
Diya’s elder son, Padmanabh Singh, was adopted by Diya’s father, Bhawani Singh, in 2002 as his heir since he had no sons. After the death of Bhawani Singh, Padmanabh was informally "crowned" as the Maharaja of Jaipur at the mere age of 13. Padmanabh is a national-level polo player and is a well-known name in the fashion world. Padmanabh is the first Maharaja to offer his personal space on Airbnb.
After the death of Bhawani Singh in 2011, Diya took responsibility for the royal lineage. Though Padmanabh was named as the heir, however, since he was an adolescent, Diya became the matriarch of the family. She broke many stereotypes leading the life of the royal.
Diya Kumari established the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF) as a philanthropist. PDKF is a social entrepreneurship that trains hundreds of women from marginalised communities in various income generation skills. PDKF provides training in stitching, handicrafts, health initiatives and more.
Diya Kumari’s daughter, Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur, serves as the foundation’s general secretary. She is a graduate of NYU’s Gallatin School and has a specialization in Media and Communications.
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Diya Kumari’s younger son, Prince Lakshraj Prakash Singh, was anointed as the titular Maharaja of Sirmaur in 2013 when he was just nine years old. The prince's coronation took place at the Nahan Palace in the presence of his maternal grandmother, Rajmata Padmani Devi.
Maharani Diya Kumari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2013, contested the 2013 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election from Sawai Madhopur, and became MLA. She didn’t contest the 2018 elections. But, in 2019, she was elected as a Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from Rajsamand.
Not just this, DiyaKumari was also appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Save the Girl Child, Government of Rajasthan. On December 12, 2023, Maharani Diya became the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan in the ministry of Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Mahani Diya Kumari is considered a billionaire as she manages several properties, businesses, schools, and trusts. It includes City Palace, Jaipur, Jaigarh Fort, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust, The Palace School, Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh School, Rajmahal Palace and many more.
Diya Kumari also loves luxury vehicles; her 1937 Bentley 4.25-litre MX Series is one of her prized possessions. Diya Kumari holds a remarkable fortune. Though the estimated net worth of the royal family is unknown, multiple reports claim that it is estimated to be 2.8 billion dollars.
Maharani Diya Kumari is the perfect example of a custodian of traditions. Despite her modern thoughts, she is still rooted in her royal and traditional lineage.
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