Sirimavo Bandaranaike

17 April 1916 – 10 October 2000

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a Sri Lankan stateswoman who became the world's first female head of government when she was elected Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1960. Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, she served as prime minister three times over several decades.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Life events

Born in Ratnapura, British Ceylon
17 April 1916

Born into an aristocratic Sinhalese family in Ratnapura.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Married S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike
1940

Married the politician who later became prime minister of Ceylon.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Entered politics after her husband's assassination
1960

Took over the Sri Lanka Freedom Party following the 1959 assassination of her husband.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Became the world's first female prime minister
21 July 1960 – 27 March 1965

Elected Prime Minister of Ceylon, becoming the first woman to serve as a head of government.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Served a second term and oversaw a new republic
29 May 1970 – 23 July 1977

Returned as prime minister and presided over Ceylon becoming the republic of Sri Lanka in 1972.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Served a third term as Prime Minister
14 November 1994 – 10 August 2000

Held the office a third time while her daughter Chandrika Kumaratunga served as president.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Died in Sri Lanka
10 October 2000

Died shortly after casting her vote in a general election.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓