Jawaharlal Nehru
- Birth: 14 Nov 1889
- Death: 27 May 1964
- Age: 74 years (at death)
- Net Worth: $2.0M USD
- Income Source: barrister, Political Life & Independence Movement, Prime Minister of India
Biography
awaharlal Nehru, fondly known as Pandit Nehru or Chacha Nehru, was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, India. Coming from a prominent Kashmiri Brahmin family, his father, Motilal Nehru, was a successful barrister and a key figure in the Indian independence movement. Nehru's early life was marked by privilege; he received education at home from private tutors before heading to Harrow School in England at age 15, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied natural sciences, and then Inner Temple for law.
After India's independence in 1947, Nehru became the nation's first Prime Minister, serving until his death. His official salary was modest—around ₹2,000 per month in the 1960s—but supplemented by royalties from his bestselling books like The Discovery of India and Glimpses of World History, which were published internationally. Nehru inherited substantial family assets, including the grand Anand Bhawan residence, which he later donated to the nation as a museum. Estimates of his net worth at death vary, with some sources placing it around $5 million (in 1964 USD), reflecting inherited property and investments rather than accumulated wealth from politics. Nehru lived ascetically, emphasizing public service over personal gain, and there are no records of corruption.
Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964, in New Delhi, at age 74, likely from a heart attack following health complications. His legacy endures as the visionary who shaped India's democratic institutions, promoted secularism, and advanced science and education. November 14 is celebrated as Children's Day in India, honoring his love for kids. Nehru's letters to his daughter Indira (who later became PM) reveal a thoughtful intellectual. In a divided world, his non-aligned foreign policy remains influential.
After India's independence in 1947, Nehru became the nation's first Prime Minister, serving until his death. His official salary was modest—around ₹2,000 per month in the 1960s—but supplemented by royalties from his bestselling books like The Discovery of India and Glimpses of World History, which were published internationally. Nehru inherited substantial family assets, including the grand Anand Bhawan residence, which he later donated to the nation as a museum. Estimates of his net worth at death vary, with some sources placing it around $5 million (in 1964 USD), reflecting inherited property and investments rather than accumulated wealth from politics. Nehru lived ascetically, emphasizing public service over personal gain, and there are no records of corruption.
Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964, in New Delhi, at age 74, likely from a heart attack following health complications. His legacy endures as the visionary who shaped India's democratic institutions, promoted secularism, and advanced science and education. November 14 is celebrated as Children's Day in India, honoring his love for kids. Nehru's letters to his daughter Indira (who later became PM) reveal a thoughtful intellectual. In a divided world, his non-aligned foreign policy remains influential.