Robert Vadra is an Indian businessman best known as the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
His marriage to Priyanka Gandhi in 1997 brought him to public attention and made him an important figure in the Indian political scene.
Over the years, Vadra has been involved in various business ventures, including real estate and hotels, which have contributed to his wealth.
Despite his success, Vadra has been at the center of several controversies regarding his business dealings, especially regarding land acquisitions.
File
- Full name: Robert Rajendra Vadra
- Date of birth: April 18, 1969
- Age: 55 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Businessman
- Height: 5 feet 4.5 inches (164 cm)
- Parents: Rajendra Vadra (father), Maureen Vadra (mother)
- Siblings: Richard Vadra (deceased), Michelle Vadra (deceased)
- Spouse: Priyanka Gandhi (d. 1997)
- Children: Raihan Vadra, Miraya Vadra
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Converted to Hinduism before marriage
- Ethnicity: Punjabi and Anglo-Indian
- Net worth: $2.1 billion
Early life and education
Robert Vadra, now 55 years old, was born into a business family on April 18, 1969 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.
His father, Rajendra Vadra, was originally from Sialkot, Pakistan, and migrated to India after Partition in 1947, where he established a successful handicrafts and brassware business.
Robert’s mother, Maureen Vadra, is of Scottish descent, which further adds to his unique cultural background. Vadra spent his early years in Delhi, where he completed his studies at the British School.
He initially joined the family business but dropped out of college to focus on expanding their business.
Personal life
Robert Vadra’s personal life has been closely linked to the Gandhi family since he married Priyanka Gandhi in 1997.
The couple met in 1985 through Vadra’s older sister Michelle, and their relationship developed for several years before they married.
Vadra converted to Hinduism before getting married, which met with initial opposition from both families. Together, they have two children, Raihan Vadra, born in 2000, and Miraya Vadra, born in 2002.
Despite being related to one of India’s most influential political dynasties, Vadra maintains that he has no intention of entering politics.
Tragedy also marked his personal life, as his brother Richard died by suicide in 2003, and his sister Michelle died in a car accident in 2001. His father was found dead in a motel in Delhi in 2009.
Career
Robert Vadra’s career began in the family business, dealing in bronze and artificial jewelry.
However, he later diversified into other industries, such as real estate and hotels. Vadra has founded several companies, including Sky Light Hospitality, Sky Light Realty and Real Earth Estates.
His business dealings, especially those involving real estate developer DLF, often came under scrutiny.
Vadra’s companies were involved in large-scale land acquisitions and his ventures in the hotel industry, such as Hilton Gardens in New Delhi, also contributed to his wealth .
Net worth
Robert Vadra’s estimated net worth is approximately $2.1 billion.
His wealth mainly comes from real estate transactions, investments in hotels and other businesses.
Vadra has made several high-profile investments in land and property, including controversial deals with DLF.
Argumentative
Robert Vadra’s career has been plagued with controversy, especially related to his real estate dealings.
One of the most significant controversies emerged in 2012 when activist Arvind Kejriwal accused Vadra of receiving preferential treatment from DLF, one of India’s largest real estate companies.
It is alleged that Vadra bought land in Gurgaon district of Haryana at a discounted price and sold it for huge profits.
Apart from DLF’s land transactions, Vadra was also involved in other questionable real estate transactions, including irregular land acquisitions across Rajasthan.
Furthermore, Vadra was implicated in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, where allegations arose regarding his links with individuals involved in alleged misappropriation of funds.
Although no official charges were brought, being involved in such a large-scale scandal affected his public image.
More recently in 2018, an FIR was filed against Vadra and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Chief Minister of Haryana, over land transactions in Gurugram.
Vadra has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he was unfairly targeted due to his ties to the Gandhi family.
Despite the numerous charges, he has yet to be convicted of any crime, although controversies continue to dog him, affecting his reputation as a businessman.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
