Sonia Gandhi Opens Up About Health Struggles in New Book

Ganpat Singh Chouhan November 12, 2026, 11:59 am 4 min read

New Delhi, November 12: Sonia Gandhi has candidly shared her health challenges in her new book, “Belonging: A Journey of Love.” She reveals that in 2010, she was diagnosed with a potential breast cancer scare, followed by the discovery of a pancreatic tumor a year later. For both treatments, she traveled abroad, first to Milan, Italy, and then to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Before her second surgery, she left a note for her children, Rahul and Priyanka, fearing the worst.

Surgery in Milan in 2010

The news of a possible breast cancer diagnosis shook Sonia deeply while she was serving as the chairperson of the UPA. To avoid media attention, she underwent surgery at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, performed by renowned breast cancer surgeon Dr. Veronesi. The operation involved the removal of both a suspicious and a non-suspicious tumor, and radiation was administered during the surgery, eliminating the need for five weeks of post-operative radiotherapy. Italy was chosen for the procedure as her sisters, Nadia and Anushka, could assist in her care.

Second Operation in Rotterdam a Year Later

A year later, during a routine check-up, a tumor was found in her pancreas. For this surgery, she opted for Dr. Casper van Eijck at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam. According to her book, the tumor had not spread, and she recovered quickly, with Priyanka sleeping on the floor beside her hospital bed.

Last Conversation with Rajiv Gandhi

The book also recounts her last conversation with Rajiv Gandhi. On May 20, 1991, before he left for a campaign in Sriperumbudur, he asked Sonia to accompany him. However, feeling exhausted, she declined. They embraced as a farewell, and Sonia watched him leave. The next day, he was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber.

On May 24, 1991, his body was transported to Veer Bhumi, where their son Rahul performed the last rites. His ashes were later immersed in the Sangam at Allahabad on May 28. Sonia recalled finding a photograph of herself taken at Cambridge in Rajiv’s bag after his death.

Rahu and Priyanka’s Concerns

Following Rajiv’s assassination, Sonia stayed away from politics. According to her book, she began contemplating a political career after the Congress party weakened and the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992. However, Rahul and Priyanka advised her against rushing into any decisions. Despite their concerns, she was elected as Congress president on March 14, 1998, succeeding Sitaram Kesri. In 1999, she contested elections from Amethi and Bellary, winning both seats.

Marriage and Early Family Life

The book details how, when news of her relationship with Rajiv surfaced, her father, Stefano Maino, attempted to send her to Leningrad instead of Cambridge. However, after discussions with her mother and their Italian landlady, he relented. In June 1965, Indira Gandhi met Sonia in London, treating her with calmness and affection. Rajiv drove to Italy in November 1966 to meet Sonia’s parents, who appreciated his simplicity and honesty but asked him to wait until she turned 21.

Sonia arrived in Delhi on January 13, 1968, and stayed at the home of family friends, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and his wife, Teji. They got engaged on January 26 and married in a simple ceremony on February 25, 1968, wearing a pink khadi sari made from fabric woven by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Tragic Loss and Family Joy

Sonia shared that in January 1969, she gave birth to a son prematurely, who died within hours, plunging her into depression. On June 19, 1970, Rahul was born, bringing immense joy to the family, especially to his grandmother, Indira Gandhi. The book also mentions Indira’s wish to have her ashes scattered over the Himalayas, as per her request.

Sonia expressed that she has largely kept her inner world private. While much has been written about her family, there has been little effort to understand who they truly are. She aims to share the changes witnessed in India over the past five decades, initially from the sidelines and later from the center.

Author Profile

Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.