Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Sonia Gandhi’s Unexpected Memoir Revisits Love, Loss and Political Life
Sonia Gandhi is writing a book about her life.
It will be called Belonging: A Journey of Love.
The book is scheduled to come out on November 10.
Sonia grew up in Italy and met Rajiv Gandhi while they were students in Cambridge.
She originally wanted a quiet family life.
After several tragic deaths in the Gandhi family, she became involved in politics.
She later led the Congress party and became an important political figure in India.
She says the memoir will describe both happy and painful experiences.
Political opponents may study the book closely for material to criticize her family.
Sonia Gandhi will publish Belonging: A Journey of Love on November 10 through Alfred A. Knopf in America and William Collins in the UK.
The memoir traces her life from childhood in small-town Italy to her decades in India.
Sonia met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge when she was a 19-year-old Italian language student.
Family tragedies, including the deaths of Sanjay, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, drew Sonia into public life and politics.
Sonia says the book explores love, loyalty, loss and the human motivations and failings of her family.
- Who
- Sonia Gandhi, her family, and the Congress party are central to the story.
- What
- Sonia Gandhi is publishing a memoir titled Belonging: A Journey of Love.
- When
- The book is scheduled to launch on November 10; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- It is scheduled for publication in America and the UK, and recounts Sonia’s life in Italy and India.
- Why
- Sonia says heartbreak and loss brought her into public life, and that she wants to share the personal experiences behind her family’s story.
Personal memoir
Political scrutiny
Purpose of the book
Personal memoir
Sonia Gandhi presents the memoir as a personal account of love, loss, loyalty and the experiences that shaped her life.
Political scrutiny
Her political enemies are expected to examine the book for material they can use against the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Privacy versus public interest
Personal memoir
Sonia had long guarded her private life and says writing the memoir required her to reveal deeply held memories.
Political scrutiny
Her prominent political family and public career make the memoir relevant to political debate and public criticism.
- Book title
- Belonging: A Journey of Love
- Author
- Sonia Gandhi
- Launch date
- November 10
- American publisher
- Alfred A. Knopf
- UK publisher
- William Collins
- Political role
- Sonia remained president of the ruling Congress party and continues to wield significant influence.
- Central themes
- Love, loyalty, privacy, political change, family tragedy and human fallibility