Shashi Tharoor Biography: Age, Education, Family, Political Career, Books and Lesser-Known Facts
Quick Info →
Age:
70 Years
Hometown:
Palakkad, Kerala
Caste:
Nair
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Shashi Tharoor |
| Profession | Politician, Author, Diplomat, Public Speaker |
| Known For | Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram and former UN Under-Secretary-General |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye Colour | Hazel green |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Height | 5' 10" (178 cm) |
Career
| Political Party | Indian National Congress |
| Political Journey | Joined the United Nations in 1978. Served nearly 29 years at the UN. Contested for UN Secretary-General in 2006. Joined the Indian National Congress in 2009. Elected MP from Thiruvananthapuram in 2009. Re-elected in 2014, 2019, and 2024. |
| Awards & Honours | Commonwealth Writers' Prize (1991) Sahitya Akademi Award (2019) Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, France (2022) |
Personal Life
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1956 |
| Age | 70 years |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Educational Qualifications | Schooling from Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. B.A. in History from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi. M.A., M.A.L.D., and Ph.D. in International Relations from The Fletcher School, Tufts University. |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Controversies | IPL Kochi franchise controversy (2010) Sunanda Pushkar death investigation Oxford Union "Britain Owes Reparations" speech debate Social media remarks leading to political criticism Comments on national and international issues that sparked public debate |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Widower |
| Affairs/Girlfriends | Tilottama Mukherji – Ex-wife (1981–2007) Christa Giles – Ex-wife (2007–2010) Sunanda Pushkar – Wife (2010–2014; until her death) |
Family
| Father | Chandran Tharoor |
| Mother | Lily Tharoor |
| Children | Ishaan Tharoor (Journalist), Kanishk Tharoor (Writer and Academic) |
Favourites
| Hobby | Reading books, Writing, Public speaking, Travelling & Watching cricket |
| Author | William Shakespeare, Salman Rushdie |
| Book | History, Politics, Literature |
| Food | Kerala cuisine |
| Sport | Cricket |
Money Factor
| Net Worth (approx) | ₹55 crore (approximately $6.6 million) |
Social Media
| Instagram | @shashitharoor |
| X | @ShashiTharoor |
Some Lesser Known Facts
- He joined the United Nations at the age of 22. Shashi Tharoor spent nearly 29 years at the UN, serving in several senior positions before entering Indian politics.
- He was a strong contender for the post of UN Secretary-General. In 2006, he reached the final round of voting but eventually lost to South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon.
- He earned a Ph.D. at a remarkably young age. Tharoor completed his doctorate in International Relations at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, at just 22 years old.
- He has written more than 25 books. His works cover Indian history, politics, diplomacy, colonialism, and literature, making him one of India’s most prolific political authors.
- He was born in London but grew up in India. His family later settled in India, where he completed his schooling before pursuing higher education abroad.
- He is widely known for his extraordinary English vocabulary. Several uncommon words used by him in interviews and social media posts have frequently gone viral.
- National Congress in 2009 and soon won the Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram.
He has represented Thiruvananthapuram in Parliament for multiple consecutive terms. Voters have repeatedly elected him as their Member of Parliament since 2009.
- He is a regular speaker at international forums and universities. His lectures on diplomacy, democracy, history, and global affairs attract audiences across the world.
- He has a deep passion for reading and collecting books. His personal library contains thousands of books covering politics, history, literature, and international relations.
- France honoured him with the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2022. The award recognized his contributions to public discourse and international understanding.
- Shashi Tharoor was born into a Malayali family with strong academic values. His father, Chandran Tharoor, worked as an advertising executive, while his mother, Lily Tharoor, was a homemaker.
- He has received numerous literary and public service awards. His writing and diplomatic work have earned recognition from institutions in India and abroad.
