Negin Bhatt is a retired teacher and the mother of Salman Rushdie, one of the most acclaimed and controversial writers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
She is of Kashmiri descent and lived in Bombay, India before moving to England with her son in 1964.
She was also the inspiration for several female characters in Salman’s novels, such as Amina Sinai in Midnight’s Children, which won the Booker Prize in 1981 and the Best of the Booker in 2008.
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- Full Name: Negin Bhatt
- Date of birth: None
- Age: None
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Bombay, India
- Nationality: Indian-British
- Occupation: Retired Teacher
- Height: None
- Parents: None
- Siblings: One brother and one sister
- Spouse: Anis Ahmed Rushdie (deceased)
- Children: Salman Rushdie and Sameen Rushdie
- Relationship status: Widowed
- Net Worth: $300,000
Early life and education
Negin Bhatt was born in Bombay, India, into a wealthy and educated Kashmiri family. Her father was a prominent businessman, and her mother was a social activist who fought tirelessly for women’s rights.
Negin has two siblings, an older brother and an older sister, both of whom are successful. Her older brother is an architect, and her older sister is a journalist and a poet.
Negin was a bright and studious child who did well in school. She attended the prestigious Queen Mary School in Bombay, where she developed a love of literature and languages.
She then graduated from Bombay University with a degree in English literature. She also studied French, German and Urdu and became fluent in all of these languages.
Personal life
Negin Bhatt married Anis Ahmed Rushdie, a lawyer and businessman, in 1947. They had two children, Salman and Sameen, born in 1947 and 1950. She also taught them to be proud of their Kashmiri heritage and culture.
Negin and Anis moved to England with Salman in 1964, when he was awarded a scholarship to study at Rugby School. Sameen joined them after completing his studies in India.
Negin and Anis settled in London, becoming part of a vibrant and diverse Indian diaspora. Negin worked as a teacher at a local school while Anis continued her business ventures.
Negin and Anis had a happy and harmonious marriage until Anis passed away in 1987 after suffering a heart attack. Negin was devastated by her husband’s death but remained strong and resilient for the sake of her children and grandchildren.
She was particularly proud of his achievements as a writer and fiercely defended him when he faced threats and criticism for his controversial book, The Satanic Verses, in 1988.
Negin never remarried and lived a quiet and dignified life in London. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Milan and Zafar, children of Salman’s third and fourth wives, Clarissa Luard and Elizabeth West.
She also enjoys reading, gardening and cooking, and shares her recipes with her daughter Sameen, who has written a cookbook based on those recipes.
Career
Negin Bhatt has had a successful and fulfilling career as a teacher. She has taught English, French and German in various schools in Bombay and London.
She is passionate about education and imparting her knowledge and wisdom to her students. She is also respected and admired by her colleagues and friends for her professionalism and dedication.
Negin retired from teaching in the late 1980s but remained actively involved in literary and cultural activities.
She attended book launches, festivals and events and met and interacted with many other writers, artists and intellectuals.
She also supports and promotes many charitable activities, especially those related to women’s rights, education and health.
Net worth
Negin Bhatt’s net worth is estimated, but she probably lives a comfortable and prosperous life thanks to her husband’s wealth and her son’s fame and fortune.
Social media
- Instagram Name: None
- Twitter Username: None
