Arundhati Roy Biography: The Voice of Courage, Literature, and Social Justice
Quick Info →
Age:
64 Years
Hometown:
Ayemenem, Kottayam, Kerala
Marital stats:
Divorced
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Suzanna Arundhati Roy |
| Profession | Author, Novelist, Essayist, Activist |
| Famous For | Her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and became the biggest-selling book. |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Height | 5' 4" (163 cm) |
Career
| Career Journey | Early Career: Arundhati Roy studied architecture in New Delhi before entering the film and television industry as a screenwriter and actress. Film Industry: In 1989, she wrote the screenplay for In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones and won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. Literary Breakthrough: In 1997, her debut novel, The God of Small Things, won the Booker Prize and brought her international fame. Social Activism: She began writing extensively about human rights, inequality, environmental issues, and politics. Second Novel: In 2017, she published The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, exploring social and political issues in India. Recent Work: In 2025, she published her memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me, sharing personal experiences from her life. |
| Awards & Achievements | 1989: Won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones. 1997: Won the Booker Prize for her debut novel, The God of Small Things. 2002: Received the Lannan Cultural Freedom Prize for her writing and social commentary. 2004: Won the Sydney Peace Prize for her commitment to peace and social justice. 2011: Received the Norman Mailer Prize for Distinguished Writing. 2023: Received the European Essay Prize for lifetime achievement. 2024: Won the PEN Pinter Prize for her literary work and powerful writing about injustice. Her debut novel has been translated into more than 40 languages, reaching readers worldwide. She is internationally recognised for combining literature with discussions of human rights, inequality, and social justice |
| Books | The God of Small Things (1997) - The Algebra of Infinite Justice (2001) - An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire (2004) - The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) - My Seditious Heart (2019) - Azadi (2020) - Mother Mary Comes to Me (2025) |
Personal Life
| Date of Birth | 24 November 1961 |
| Age | 64 years (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Shillong, Meghalaya, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Educational Qualification | School: Corpus Christi High School, Kottayam, and Lawrence School, Lovedale - College: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi |
| Controversies | Kashmir Remarks (2010): Her comments on Kashmir's political status sparked public criticism and legal controversy. Narmada Dam Protest (2002): She opposed the dam project over displacement concerns and was convicted of contempt of court. Judiciary Criticism (2015): She faced contempt proceedings after criticising a court decision involving activist G. N. Saibaba. Political Statements (2023): Her remarks about Indian politics sparked debate over freedom of expression. Berlin Film Festival (2026): She withdrew from the festival over disagreements about political expression in cinema. |
Relationships & More
Family
| Husband/Spouse | First Husband: Gerard da Cunha - Second Husband: Pradip Krishen |
| Father | Rajib Roy |
| Mother | Mary Roy women's rights activist |
| Brother | Lalit Kumar Christopher Roy |
| Children | Stepdaughters named: Mithva Krishen and Pia Krishen from her second husband |
Favourites
| Hobbies | Reading, Travelling |
| Food | Achar (Pickle), Malayalam Cuisine |
| Author | John Berger, Toni Morrison |
Money Factor
| Net Worth (approx) | $5 million (around ₹42 crore) |
Some Lesser Known Facts
- Arundhati Roy’s full name is Suzanna Arundhati Roy, and she is widely known for her powerful writing, thought-provoking essays, and outspoken views on social and political issues.
- She was born on November 24, 1961, in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, and later spent much of her childhood in Kerala.
- She grew up in Ayemenem, Kerala, a place that later became the main setting for her internationally acclaimed novel The God of Small Things.
- She studied architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, where she developed an interest in art, design, and creative expression.
- Before becoming a successful novelist, she worked in television and film, writing screenplays and acting in projects that explored unconventional characters and social realities.
- At the age of sixteen, she left her family home and began living independently in Delhi, an experience that helped shape her independent outlook on life.
- In 1989, she won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, a film that drew on her experiences as an architecture student.
- Her second novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, was published in 2017, twenty years after her debut, and explores themes of identity, marginalisation, and political conflict in India.
- Her first novel, The God of Small Things, was published in 1997 and won the prestigious Booker Prize that same year, bringing her international recognition.
- Apart from writing fiction, she has authored numerous essays and nonfiction books addressing inequality, environmental concerns, human rights, democracy, and social justice.
- In 2025, she published her memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me, reflecting on her relationship with her mother, her childhood, and the personal experiences that influenced her life and writing.
- In 2006, she declined the Sahitya Akademi Award for her book of essays, expressing her disagreement with the political climate and the circumstances surrounding the award.
