Pranab Mukherjee (11 December 1935 – 31 August 2020) was an Indian statesman who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. A Congress veteran for five decades, he held nearly every major ministry, including Finance, Defence and External Affairs, and was known as the party’s chief troubleshooter. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Pranab Kumar Mukherjee |
| Born | 11 December 1935, Mirati, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India |
| Died | 31 August 2020, New Delhi (aged 84) |
| Office | 13th President of India (2012–2017) |
| Other offices | Minister of Finance, Defence and External Affairs |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
| Education | MA (History, Political Science), LLB, University of Calcutta |
| Spouse | Suvra Mukherjee (d. 2015) |
| Children | Abhijit, Indrajit, Sharmistha |
| Honours | Padma Vibhushan (2008), Bharat Ratna (2019) |
Early Life
Mukherjee was born in the village of Mirati in West Bengal. His father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was a freedom fighter and Congress leader. Pranab studied history, political science and law at the University of Calcutta. He then worked as a college teacher and journalist before entering politics.
Political Career
Mukherjee entered the Rajya Sabha in 1969 and became a close aide of Indira Gandhi. He served as Finance Minister from 1982 to 1984, during which time Manmohan Singh was appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank. After Indira Gandhi’s assassination he fell out with Rajiv Gandhi, left the Congress and briefly led his own party before returning in 1989.
Under P. V. Narasimha Rao, Mukherjee was Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and then External Affairs Minister. In Manmohan Singh’s governments he served as Defence Minister (2004–06), External Affairs Minister (2006–09) and Finance Minister (2009–12). He won the Jangipur Lok Sabha seat in 2004 and 2009. He chaired dozens of groups of ministers and was the government’s go-to negotiator with allies and opponents.
In 2012 the UPA nominated Mukherjee for President, and he won comfortably. He took office on 25 July 2012. During his term he rejected a number of mercy petitions and opened Rashtrapati Bhavan more widely to the public. He also maintained cordial relations with the Narendra Modi government after 2014.
Personal Life and Death
Mukherjee married Suvra in 1957. She died in 2015. Their children are former MP Abhijit Mukherjee, Indrajit, and Sharmistha Mukherjee. A prolific writer, he published memoirs including The Dramatic Decade and The Presidential Years. He died on 31 August 2020 at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi after brain surgery and complications, aged 84.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Pranab Mukherjee born?
Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 in Mirati, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India.
When did Pranab Mukherjee die?
Died: 31 August 2020, New Delhi (aged 84).
What honours has Pranab Mukherjee received?
Padma Vibhushan (2008), Bharat Ratna (2019).
