One of the most beautiful women in the world, Rajmata Gayatri Devi, broke the stereotypes and lived life in her terms.

Rajmata Gayatri Devi is an epitome of grace and elegance. Being the third wife of Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Man Singh, her life was not a bed of roses. But she defied the convention and lived life in her terms. She was a feminist in the times when women were second class citizens. Here are some of the trivia of the lady ahead of her time, Gayatri Devi.

1. She married for love

Those were the times when women’s consent and will for her marriage alliance were not considered necessary. Gayatri Devi fell in love with a man twice her age and against all odds married him and became the third Maharani of Jaipur.

2. She refused to live in Purdah

After marrying Sawaii Man Singh, she was also expected to follow the rigid customs and traditions. Though she moulded herself to the kind of life that was expected of a Maharani, she refused to follow the derogatory custom of Purdah.

3. People’s princess

She was indeed the people’s princess who has just enjoyed her royal status and life of luxury. She opened Gayatri Devi School for girls which went on to be the finest schools in the country. She also promoted the blue pottery and thus revived the dying art.

4. An avid sportsperson

She was known for her horse-riding skills and was also a fantastic polo player. She was a patron of Jaipur Riding and Polo Club later in her life. After her death, she is celebrated by Polo players in the form of “Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup”.

5. A style Icon

She was listed by Vogue Magazine in the 1960s as one of the most beautiful women in the world. She was a trend maker, whether it was her Khakhi pants or Chiffon sarees. Gayatri Devi herself popularized the quintessential royal look, the Chiffon saree with pearls.

6. The Other name?

Interestingly, Gayatri Devi was known as Ayesha by her family and near ones. It is said that her mother was reading a novel whose protagonist name was Ayesha when she was born. So, she took fancy on the name and named her daughter Ayesha. Later, she advised otherwise, and the child was renamed Gayatri.

Rajmata Gayatri Devi is an inspiration to women, who even at the lowest of lows in her life lived with grace and inspired women all over the world.