Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, reveals that she and Rajiv Gandhi lost their firstborn son just hours after his premature arrival in January 1969. The devastating loss prompted Indira Gandhi to cut short an official tour, while Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi laid the infant to rest at Feroze Gandhi's farmhouse in Mehrauli. Sonia recounts battling severe depression and guilt after the bereavement, feelings intensified by a hostile opposition newspaper article. The couple later announced another pregnancy in October 1969, eventually welcoming their son Rahul Gandhi in June 1970.
Key points
Indira Gandhi cut short an official tour to support the grieving couple at the hospital.: Indira Gandhi cut short an official tour to support the grieving couple at the hospital.
Sonia Gandhi experienced profound depression that was intensified by a malicious oppositi…: Sonia Gandhi experienced profound depression that was intensified by a malicious opposition newspaper report.
The couple went on to welcome their next child, Rahul Gandhi, on June 19, 1970.: The couple went on to welcome their next child, Rahul Gandhi, on June 19, 1970.
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Before Rahul, Sonia and Rajiv lost first child; memoir reveals details (Picture from X)
NEW DELHI: In September 1968, the Gandhi household was filled with joy when Sonia Gandhi announced her pregnancy. Even the usually stern Indira Gandhi broke into a rare display of affection, embracing her daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi and exclaiming, “One big baby having another baby!”But the happiness was short-lived.Sonia gave birth to a premature baby boy on January 18, 1969, two months before her due date. Initially overjoyed, the family was soon devastated by the newborn’s death.In her newly released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia recounts the deeply personal tragedy for the first time. She writes that the baby was buried by her husband Rajiv Gandhi and brother-in-law Sanjay Gandhi at Feroze Gandhi’s farmhouse in Mehrauli.“I heard the baby's first cry as he was placed in the incubator. Later Rajiv took me to see him, a tiny, perfectly formed boy, with thick, black hair and long, slim fingers. We gazed at him together, Rajiv's arm around my shoulder. We fell in love with him immediately,”…
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