Who was Paola Miano? Sonia Gandhi's Mother Who Passed Away Recently

Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi lost her mother Paola Maino on 27th August 2022 as announced by the Congress yesterday. Maino was at the age of 98 when she passed away. Condolences have poured in from across the country for the loss.

Sonia Gandhi was born in Lusiana village in Veneto Italy to Paola Maino and Stefeno Maino in 1946. Gandhi was one of the three siblings in her family, the other two were Nadia and Anoushka. Her father Stefano Maino was a building mason who also fought against soviet rule during World War II and supported the Italian Fascist regime of Mussolini.

Who was Paola Miano?

Paola Miano was a disciplined and hard-working woman who raised her daughters well. She stood by Sonia Gandhi when the latter chose to marry Rajiv Gandhi. Stefano Miano did not agree to attend the marriage but Paola Miano made sure she shows up on her daughter's big day. Paola Miano visited India more often after Rajiv Gandhi's death to be there for her daughter. She loved her grandson Rajiv Gandhi and asked him to visit her often when she fell ill.

Paola Miano's India visits have often been captured by the media. According to reports, Miano was often spotted at Delhi Khan market buying fruits and vegetables, sometimes Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would also be spotted with her.

Condolences for Paola Miano

As soon as the Congress Party announced the sad news of the death of Paola Miano on their Twitter handle, messages from all around the country poured in. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi tweeted saying, "Condolences to Sonia Gandhi Ji on the passing away of her mother, Mrs. Paola Maino. May her soul rest in peace. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the entire family." And President of India Droupadi Murmu also expressed her condolences as she tweeted saying, "Sad to learn about the passing away of Mrs. Paola Maino, mother of Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi. My heartfelt condolences to her and her family. May God give her strength to bear this irreparable loss."

Congress also informed that the funeral for Paola Miano took place on August 31 in the presence of her daughter Sonia Gandhi and grandchildren Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

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