Born December 19, 1934 in Nadgaon, Jalgaon district, state of Maharashtra.
Education
1962: Graduated from Molji Jaitha College in Jalgaon.
1965: Graduated from the Government Law College, Mumbai. Ms Patil was trained as a lawyer and social worker.
Political Career
1962: Began her political life as a devoted supporter of the Gandhi family and one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress.
1962-1972: Served in various capacities in the Maharashtra state government.
1972-1985: Served as cabinet minister for the state government of Maharashtra in various capacities, including as minister of public health and social welfare; minister of prohibition, rehabilitation and cultural affairs; minister of urban development and housing and minister of civil supplies and social welfare.
1985-1996: Served as member of Indian parliament and chairperson of several committees in the upper and lower houses of parliament.
1996-2004: Took a hiatus from politics, instead becoming involved in programmes for the welfare and protection of women (in Mumbai and New Delhi), construction of educational institutions for the rural poor and commercial projects.
2004-2007: Served as governor of the state of Rajasthan.
June 2007: Nominated to the post of President by Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Indian National Congress.
July 19, 2007: elected President by 65.82% of the electoral vote.
Personal
Married, with a son and daughter.