Shri Mataji was born on March 21, 1923 from a Christian family in Chindwara, India. She lived in the ashram of Mahatma Gandhi as a young girl and her exceptional and unique spiritual nature was recognized by this great man, who frequently consulted her on spiritual matters. Shri Mataji studied Medicine until she became a student activist in Gandhi's Quit India Movement. She is married to Sir C.P. Srivastava, who was the Secretary General of the U.N. International Maritime Organization until 1989. She has two daughters, four grandchildren and two great grand children.