Sonia Gandhi has spent decades in the public eye, but details of her personal life have largely remained private. Now, with the release of her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, on 10 November 2026, the Congress leader is offering readers a glimpse into the relationship that brought her from Italy to India and shaped much of her life.
Published by HarperCollins India, the book traces her journey from her childhood in Italy to her marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the losses she experienced and her eventual entry into politics.
Ahead of the book's release, Sonia shared a video on X recalling how she first met Rajiv in Cambridge, England, in 1965. She described him as good-looking and gentle, and spoke about how their relationship began.
Here are five details about their love story that stand out from her recollections and the accounts surrounding their relationship.
1. It All Began With A Search For Italian Food
Sonia's first meeting with Rajiv was not planned. She was living in England and studying English when she began looking for places that served food closer to what she was accustomed to eating in Italy.
In her video, she recalled that restaurants were not as common as they are today and finding familiar food was difficult.
Her search eventually led her to a small Greek restaurant called The Varsity in Cambridge. The restaurant was frequented by European and Indian students.
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It was here, in 1965, that she met Rajiv, who was studying at Trinity College, Cambridge.
As Sonia recalled, the restaurant became the place where her journey of love began.
2. A Common Friend Introduced Them
Sonia and Rajiv did not meet through a formal arrangement. A mutual friend introduced them at the restaurant.
In her video, Sonia recalled that they initially became friends and gradually started spending more time together.
"We used to go to parties with friends," she said.
Their friendship developed into a relationship. Looking back at their first meeting, Sonia said she felt almost immediately that Rajiv was someone she would love to be with.
She later learnt that he felt the same way.
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3. Rajiv's Looks Were Not The Only Thing That Attracted Her
Sonia did not hesitate to talk about her first impression of Rajiv.
"Of course he was very good-looking," she recalled.
However, she also remembered something beyond his appearance. She described him as a gentle person and said that his gentleness was what particularly touched her.
That first impression stayed with her over the years.
In the video, she said she would never forget the way his personality struck her when they first met.
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4. Sonia Did Not Initially Know About Rajiv's Political Family
Their relationship also began without Sonia fully understanding the political background Rajiv came from.
According to The Print, Sonia did not initially know that Rajiv was the grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru and the son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Kidwai recalled that she learnt about his family background after seeing a photograph of Indira Gandhi in a newspaper during her visit to the UK.
This meant that Sonia's initial interest in Rajiv developed before she fully understood the political legacy attached to his surname.
At the time, Rajiv was also not pursuing a political career. He was interested in flying and later worked as a pilot with Indian Airlines.
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5. From Cambridge Romance To Marriage In Delhi
After their relationship developed, Sonia and Rajiv eventually decided to get married.
The couple tied the knot on 25 February 1968, in New Delhi, in a Hindu ceremony. Sonia moved to India and became part of the Gandhi family.
The couple later had two children, Rahul and Priyanka.
Despite living in a prominent political household, they largely maintained a private life. Rajiv stayed away from politics for years, while Sonia focused on her family.
Their relationship also attracted public attention. One photograph that remained particularly memorable showed the young couple enjoying ice cream near India Gate. The picture was even covered by The New York Times.
However, their private life changed after Rajiv entered politics following his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi's death in 1980.
Rajiv became Prime Minister in 1984, following Indira Gandhi's assassination. He was assassinated on 21 May 1991, during an election campaign in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
Sonia later entered public life and became an important figure in the Congress party.
Through Belonging: A Journey of Love, she revisits a relationship that began with an introduction at a restaurant in Cambridge and continued through marriage, family life and the demands of public life.
In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began. Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you. https://t.co/zvN5Rqqstf
— Sonia Gandhi (@SoniaGandhi) October 24, 2026
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What is Sonia Gandhi's new book called?
Belonging: A Journey of Love, published in India by HarperCollins.
When did Sonia Gandhi meet Rajiv Gandhi?
They met in 1965 at The Varsity, a Greek restaurant in Cambridge, England.
How did they first meet?
A mutual friend introduced them at the restaurant.
What attracted Sonia to Rajiv?
She remembered his good looks and, particularly, his gentle nature.
When did Sonia and Rajiv get married?
They married on 25 February 1968, in New Delhi.
How many children did they have?
They had two children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
When did Rajiv Gandhi die?
He was assassinated on 21 May 1991, in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
