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Pratibha Patil, (born December 19, 1934, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India), was an Indian lawyer and politician who was the first woman to serve as president of India (2007–12).
Patil earned a master’s degree in political science and economics at Moolji Jaitha College, Jalgaon, and later got a law degree from Government Law Colleg, Mumbai (Bombay). She joined the Indian National Congress (Congress Party) and entered politics in 1962 as a member of the Maharashtra legislative assembly. While there, she held the portfolio of public health and social welfare and distinguished herself for her loyalty to her party.
Her long-term association with the Gandhi family made her a favorite of Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi, and Patil’s name was presented as a candidate for the largely ceremonial role of president in 2007. While previous candidates had been struck down by partners in Congress’s coalition government, Patil’s status as a relative unknown really benefited her. She took office in July 2007 and was succeeded five years later by former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.
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