Shakuntala Devi Biography: Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Age, Children

Shakuntala Devi, renowned as the “Human Computer,” was an Indian mathematician, mental calculator, astrologer, and writer known for her exceptional computational abilities.

She astounded audiences worldwide by solving complex calculations, including extracting the 23rd root of a 201-digit number faster than a computer and multiplying two 13-digit numbers in just 28 seconds, earning her a Guinness World Record in 1982.

Beyond mathematics, she was a proficient astrologer and authored several books, such as Astrology for You, which simplified astrological concepts.

She also wrote The World of Homosexuals, India’s first study on homosexuality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Profile

• Full Name: Shakuntala Devi
• Stage Name: Human-Computer
• Born: November 4 1929
• Died: April 21 2013
• Age: 83 years old
• Birthplace: Bengaluru, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian mathematician, mental calculator, astrologer, and writer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Sundaramma, C. V. Sundararaja Rao
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Paritosh Bannerji (m. 1960–1979)
• Children: Anupama Banerji
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $6 million

Early Life And Education

Shakuntala Devi was born in a Kannada Brahmin family on November 4, 1929, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

She was the daughter of C.V. Sundararaja Rao, a trapeze artist and magician in a circus, and Sundaramma. She had no known siblings.

Shakuntala Devi did not receive a formal education despite her exceptional mathematical abilities. Her father recognized her talent at age three while teaching her a card trick.

By age six, she was already showcasing her arithmetic skills at the University of Mysore. Ethnically, she belonged to the Kannada Brahmin community and followed Hinduism.

Career

Shakuntala Devi gained global recognition through her tours across Europe and the United States, where she showcased her extraordinary calculation speed.

In 1977, at Southern Methodist University, she astounded experts by computing the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in just 50 seconds, surpassing the performance of a UNIVAC computer.

Her most remarkable achievement came in 1980 at Imperial College London, where she multiplied two randomly selected 13-digit numbers in a mere 28 seconds.

This feat earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1982, cementing her status as a mathematical prodigy.

Beyond her mathematical genius, Devi had a deep interest in astrology and authored Astrology for You, where she combined her love for numbers with celestial predictions.

She also wrote extensively on mathematics and puzzles, with works such as Figuring: The Joy of Numbers explaining her mental calculation techniques.

However, despite the brilliance of her methods, they were never widely integrated into mainstream educational curricula.

Devi’s contributions extended beyond numbers to social advocacy. In 1977, she authored The World of Homosexuals, India’s first study on homosexuality, at a time when the subject was largely considered taboo.

Through this groundbreaking work, she advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, positioning herself as a pioneer of inclusivity and social reform in India.

Her progressive views and fearless approach to challenging societal norms left a lasting impact, making her a trailblazer in mathematics and human rights.

Social Media

Shakuntala Devi does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Shakuntala Devi married Paritosh Banerji, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, in 1964, and the couple had a daughter, Anupama Banerji.

However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1979 after it was revealed that Paritosh was homosexual. This revelation had a profound impact on Devi, inspiring her to write The World of Homosexuals in 1977, India’s first study on homosexuality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights at a time when the subject was largely taboo.

Despite her groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and social discourse, her life ended on April 21, 2013, in Bangalore, India, at 83. She had been hospitalized for respiratory issues, which later led to complications affecting her heart and kidneys.

Net Worth

Shakuntala Devi’s net worth at the time of her passing was estimated to be around ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million), including her properties and assets.

Following her death, these assets became the subject of a legal dispute between her daughter, Anupama Banerji, and the Shakuntala Devi Educational Foundation Public Trust secretary.