She hails from Shimla, India, and was born into a Kahlon Jat Sikh family. Her father, Sardar Gian Singh Kahlon, was an esteemed officer in the Indian Civil Service. In October 1964, she married Capt. Amarinder Singh, the son and heir of the titular Maharaja of Patiala.

Her political journey began with the Indian National Congress. She has been a formidable candidate from the Patiala constituency. Despite losing her seat in the 2014 elections, she made a triumphant return in 2019.

As a Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, she significantly contributed to India’s foreign policy. However, her political journey took a dramatic turn in February 2023 when she was suspended from the Congress party for supporting her husband, Amarinder Singh, a BJP leader.

She later left Congress, joined BJP right before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and even contested the elections from Patiala on a later ticket. But she was unable to repeat her success.