Rashmi Thackeray: The Woman Behind The Rise of Uddhav Thackeray

Here’s how Rashmi Thackeray played a key role in Sena & it’s chief Uddhav Thackeray’s political career.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and his wife Rashmi Thackeray. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Anubhav Mishra
Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

As Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray gets ready to be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, there’s no denying that his wife Rashmi Thackeray has played a key role in his ascent to power. From encouraging the Sena chief to enter active politics, to planning out son Aditya’s election campaign, Rashmi Thackeray has left her imprint on the major milestones crossed by Shiv Sena.

Not many know that the Thackeray matriarch was allegedly the mastermind behind the snapping of Sena’s ties with long-time ally, the BJP. Over the years, Rashmi Thackeray has remained constantly involved with the party cadre and has been actively engaged with the Shiv Sena’s women’s wing.

From Classmates To Soulmates

Hailing from Dombivli near Mumbai, Rashmi Thackeray, then Patankar, first met Uddhav Thackeray while pursuing her education at JJ School of Art in Mumbai. The pair started off as classmates, then fell in love and later married. At the time, the now Sena chief was not interested in pursuing a career in politics.

He was content following his passion for wildlife photography for a living. For the first two years of their marriage, the couple lived on their own but soon shifted back to the Thackeray residence, Matoshree. While initially, Uddhav Thackeray started an advertising agency called ‘Chowrang’, the venture was short lived. By the age of 40, Thackeray was inspired to wade into politics by wife Rashmi Thackeray.

At a time when the Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav were both reportedly in the run to inherit Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s legacy, Rashmi Thackeray reportedly played a big role in convincing the party patriarch to make room for Uddhav Thackeray as his heir. By then, the split resulted in Raj Thackeray leaving the family home and starting the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Political Influence

Unlike his father, Aditya Thackeray, made his mark in politics at the early age of 19. The Sena youth wing chief was the first Thackeray to contest polls. His mother Rashmi Thackeray is believed to have played an active role in her son’s election campaign, making key decisions.

Uddhav Thackeray can often be seen sharing pictures on social media at political events with wife Rashmi Thackeray by his side.

Passion for politics runs on both sides of Rashmi Thackeray’s families. Her nephew Varun Sardesai, a civil engineer, too joined the Sena and rose to the ranks of party secretary. Sardesai, who has played a key role in managing the party’s social media campaign, takes care of the Sena’s IT cell.

Rashmi Thackeray’s Business Ventures

Apart from her knack in politics, Rashmi Thackeray also has multiple business ventures to her name. Two companies where she holds the position of director are - ‘Samved Real Estate Private Limited’ and ‘Sahyog Dealers Private Limited’.

Apart from these, she is also a partner in three other Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) ventures. These include:

1. Eloria Solar LLP - Rashmi Thackeray is a co-director here, along with son Aditya Thackeray.
2. Hibiscus Food LLP - This company runs under directors Rashmi and Aditya Thackeray, manufactures food products and beverages.
3. Como Stocks & Properties LLP - This venture that Rashmi Thackeray, again, shares with son Aditya, deals in construction of properties and other infrastructure related activities.