Sheela Gautam (15 November 1931 – 8 June 2019) was an Indian billionaire politician and businesswoman.[1] She was the founder and owner of Sheela Foam Limited, run by her son Rahul Gautam, which sells mattresses under the Sleepwell brand among others.[2][3] A member of the Bharatiya Janta Party she served in the 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th Lok Sabhas of India. She represented the Aligarh Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh for 13 years in row from June 1991 to May 2004.[4] She is the daughter of the famous freedom fighter Late Mohan Lal Gautam.[citation needed]
Sheela Gautam | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office June 1991 – May 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Usha Rani Tomar |
| Succeeded by | Bijendra Singh |
| Constituency | Aligarh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 November 1931 Aligarh, United Provinces, British India |
| Died | 8 June 2019 (aged 87) New Delhi, India |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse | Late Lt. Col. H.S. Gautam |
| Children | One son & one daughter |
| Residence(s) | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh & New Delhi |
| Alma mater | Lucknow University |
| Occupation | Politician, Businessperson |
| Website | sleepwellproducts |
Early life and education
editSheela Gautam was born in a brahmin family[5] at gabhana Aligarh district. Her parents were Indian freedom activist Pt. Mohan Lal Gautam and Smt. Draupadi Gautam. At that time, the British Raj occupied India so she spent her life in several places. She got a B.A., B.Ed., and diploma in management from Lucknow University, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).
Marriage
editShe married Lt. Col. H.S. Gautam who died of cancer.
Political career
editShe joined politics with the Indian National Congress but resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. She held the post of MP continuously from 1991 through 2004 as a member of the 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th Lok Sabha. She is the record longest-serving Lok Sabha MP from Aligarh Lok Sabha constituency. In May 2004 elections she lost to Indian National Congress candidate Bijendra Singh by a margin of 2800 votes.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Sleepwell founder, ex-MP Sheela Gautam dead at 88". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "Sheela Gautam". Forbes.com. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Sheela Foam Limited: Private Company Information". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Parliamentary Constituency In Aligarh". aligarh.net.in. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ University, Sheela Bhatt at the Aligarh Muslim. "Reading the Muslim mind in UP and Bihar". Rediff. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Uttar Pradesh Loksabha Election Constituency wise Results". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.