On Sonia Gandhi’s 73rd birthday, here are some rare photographs that you wouldn’t have seen

The Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi turned 73 Monday. She has decided not to celebrate her birthday in the wake of rape incidents across the country and growing concerns over women’s security, sources said. (Express archive photo : Ravi Batra)

Sonia Gandhi, who stepped down as Congress president in 2017, is the longest-serving president of country's oldest political party Indian National Congress. In pic: Sonia Gandhi with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Express archive)

Born in Italy, she married Rajiv Gandhi in 1968 and moved to India after that. In pic: Sonia Gandhi is seen with her children Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. (Express archive photo)

Sonia remained away from public life but joined politics after constant prodding by Congress leaders after the assassination of her husband. In pic: Sonia Gandhi at Brabourne Stadium. (Express archive photo)

Sonia Gandhi also faced immense opposition because of her foreign origin. In pic: Former PM Indira Gandhi along with sons Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi with grandchildren Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. (Express archive photo)

Sonia Gandhi was ranked the third most powerful woman by Forbes in 2013. In pic: Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi at AIFACS in New Delhi. (Express archive photo)

Her right to become the prime minister of the country was also challenged by leaders from within the party including Sharad Pawar. In pic: Sonia Gandhi with former finance minister P. Chidambaram in Seychelles. (Express archive photo)