Bidya Devi Bhandari

विद्यादेवी भण्डारी

Also known as Bidhya Devi Bhandari

Second President of Nepal and the first woman to hold the office (2015–2023)

About

Bidya Devi Bhandari became active in politics as a teenager. She rose through the ranks of the CPN (UML) party. Her husband, Madan Bhandari, was a top Communist leader. He died in a car accident in 1993. After that, she took on a bigger role in the party.

In 2015, after Nepal adopted its new constitution, she was elected President. This was seen as an important step for a country trying to move past male-led politics. Her last name comes from marriage. It is not connected to other well-known Bhandaris, such as footballer Sabitra Bhandari or former Attorney General Sabita Bhandari.

Quick facts

Born: 1961-06-19
Birthplace: Manebhanjyang, Bhojpur District, Nepal
Profession: Politician
Nationality: Nepal
Status: Alive

Previous roles

President of Nepal
Government of Nepal · 2015-10-29–2023-03-13
Minister of Defence
Government of Nepal · 2009–2011
Minister of Environment and Population
Government of Nepal · 1997–1997
President
All Nepal Women's Association · 1998

Career & life timeline

1961-06-19
Born in Manebhanjyang, Bhojpur District, Nepal
1993
Her husband, Communist leader Madan Bhandari, was killed in a car accident
2009
Became Nepal's first female Minister of Defence
2015-10-28
Elected as Nepal's first female President
2018-03-13
Re-elected for a second presidential term
2023-03-13
Left office as President, succeeded by Ram Chandra Poudel

Achievements

Became Nepal's first female President
2015
First woman to serve as Nepal's Minister of Defence
2009
Helped secure a constitutional guarantee of at least 33 percent women's representation across Nepal's state structures

Organizations & affiliations

CPN (UML)
All Nepal Women's Association

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Last updated: 2026-09-02