Who Is Oma Panday? Wiki, Age, Kids, Net Worth, Family & Facts About Basdeo Panday’s Wife
Oma Panday, born Oma Ramkissoon, was the wife of the late Basdeo Panday, a former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago who was the first person of Indian descent to hold that position.
She was known for her quiet yet reassuring personality and was a constant companion to her husband throughout his illustrious political career. In this article, we will explore the life and journey of Oma, who was a pillar of support in Basdeo Panday’s political and personal life.
Oma Panday Wiki/Bio
| Name | Oma Panday |
| Real Name | Oma Ramkissoon |
| Date of Birth | Unknown |
| Place of Birth | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Nationality | Trinidadian and Tobagonian |
| Ethnicity | Indo-Trinidadian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Occupation | Homemaker |
| Husband | Basdeo Panday (1933-2024) |
| Children | Mickela Panday, Niala Panday, Vastala Panday, Nicola Panday |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million (approx.) |
| omapanday | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Age & Birthday
Oma Panday’s exact date of birth and age are not publicly known. However, based on the fact that her husband Basdeo Panday was born on May 25, 1933, and that they have been married for over 50 years, it can be estimated that Panday was born in the early 1930s or late 1920s. Therefore, she was likely in her late 80s or early 90s at the time of her husband’s death on January 1, 2024.
Kids
Oma and Basdeo Panday had four daughters, namely Niala, Mickela, Nicola, and Vastala. These girls, integral to the Panday family, provided a personal backdrop to Basdeo’s political narrative. Niala, the eldest, had a front-row seat to her father’s political progression from his entry into politics to his ascension to the Prime Minister’s office. Mickela, who publicly announced her father’s demise on social media, played a significant role in conveying the news.
Her acknowledgment of Basdeo’s wit, humor, and fighting spirit offered insight into their family dynamics. Nicola and Vastala, the younger Panday daughters, also experienced first-hand the triumphs and challenges associated with their father’s political career. These experiences undoubtedly shaped their perspectives, influenced by the demands of public life and the stability of a supportive home.
Net Worth
Panday’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, it can be assumed that she shared the wealth and assets of her husband Basdeo Panday, who was a lawyer, economist, union leader, and politician. Basdeo Panday’s net worth was also not officially revealed, but some sources estimated it to be around $10 million.
However, Basdeo Panday faced several allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during his political career, which may have affected his net worth. In 2006, he was convicted of failing to disclose a bank account in London and was sentenced to two years in prison, but he appealed the verdict and was eventually cleared of the charges in 2011.
In 2005, he and others were charged with corruption and arrested in a case related to an airport construction contract. The charges were later dropped, with supporters claiming the allegations were political persecution.
Family Details
Panday’s family was a prominent and influential one in Trinidad and Tobago, especially in the Indo-Trinidadian community. Her husband Basdeo Panday was a founding member of the United Labour Front (ULF), the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), and the United National Congress (UNC).
He served as leader of the ULF and UNC and was President General of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers’ Trade Union. He was the first person of Indian descent and the first Hindu to become the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, serving twice from 1995 to 2001.
He was also the Leader of the Opposition five times between 1976 and 2010. He was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2005, the highest honor conferred by the Government of India to persons of Indian origin living abroad.
Oma Panday’s family also included her brother-in-law Sam Boodram, who was a famous singer of chutney music, a genre that blends traditional Indian folk music with Caribbean influences. Boodram was known as the “Lion of the Chutney” and was a pioneer of the art form. He died in 2014 at the age of 81.
Panday’s family was a source of inspiration and strength for her and her husband, as they faced the challenges and opportunities that came with their public roles. Oma was a central figure who contributed significantly to the family’s unique narrative.
Despite the lack of extensive documentation about their family life, it is clear that Oma and Basdeo’s four daughters were a testament to their shared journey, where political life and personal relationships intersected. Oma’s commitment to family values, coupled with her supportive and reserved nature, provided a guiding force within the Panday household.
Social Works
Oma was a pillar of support for her husband, who was known for his advocacy for the poor and the working class. She also shared his vision of a multicultural and inclusive society. According to her brother-in-law, Subhas Panday, Basdeo Panday’s dying wish was to donate a parcel of land in St Julien Village, Princes Town, to provide shelter for battered women and homeless children. Oma Panday was expected to fulfill this wish on behalf of her late husband.
Nationality
Oma was born Oma Ramkissoon in Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean country that consists of two main islands and several smaller ones. She was a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, which gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.
Ethnicity and Religion
Panday was of Indian ethnicity, as her ancestors were among the indentured laborers who were brought from British India to work on the sugar plantations in Trinidad and Tobago in the 19th and early 20th centuries. She was also a Hindu, as was her husband, who was the first Hindu to hold the office of Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 4″. In Meters: 1.62 m. In Centimetres: 162 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 50-55 kg. In Pounds: 110-121 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
Controversies
Oma Panday was not directly involved in any major controversies, but she faced some challenges and criticisms as the wife of a prominent politician. She stood by her husband when he was accused of corruption and money laundering about the Piarco Airport project in 2005. The charges against them were discontinued in 2023 after several key witnesses were unavailable or deceased.
Businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh, who was also charged in the case, threatened to file a malicious prosecution lawsuit against the State. Oma also had to deal with public scrutiny and speculation about her husband’s health and political future, especially after he suffered a stroke in 2012 and retired from active politics in 2015.
Basdeo Panday’s Death
Basdeo Panday passed away on 1 January 2024, at the age of 90, in a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, where he had been receiving medical treatment for some time. His death was announced by his daughter Mickela Panday on social media, who described him as a fighter, a leader, and a friend.
He was given a state funeral on 10 January 2024, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando, where he was hailed as a true statesman and a champion of the people. He was survived by his wife Oma and their four daughters, Niala, Mickela, Nicola, and Vastala.
Trivia
- Panday met Basdeo Panday when he was a lecturer at the University of the West Indies, where she was a student. They married in 1969 and had a Hindu wedding ceremony.
- Oma was a homemaker who devoted her time and energy to raising her four daughters and supporting her husband’s career. She rarely made public appearances or gave interviews, preferring to stay away from the limelight. She was described by her husband as “a very private person”.
- She was a devout Hindu who followed the teachings and practices of her faith. She was instrumental in instilling Hindu values and culture in her daughters, who also followed Hinduism. She also encouraged her husband to embrace his Hindu identity, which he had previously downplayed for political reasons.
- Panday was a compassionate and generous person who cared deeply for the welfare of others. She was involved in several charitable and social causes, especially those related to women and children. She was the patron of the Oma Panday Foundation, a non-governmental organization that assists underprivileged and vulnerable groups in Trinidad and Tobago.
- Panday was a graceful and elegant woman who had a refined sense of style and fashion. She often wore traditional Indian attire, such as sarees and salwar kameez, with matching jewelry and accessories. She also had a fondness for flowers, especially orchids, which she grew in her garden.
Oma Panday was a remarkable woman who lived a life of dignity, devotion, and dedication. She was the wife of Basdeo Panday, a former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago who made history as the first person of Indian descent to hold that office. She was the mother of four daughters, who were a reflection of her love and values. She was the backbone of her family, who supported and guided them through the highs and lows of their political and personal journeys. She was a woman of faith, charity, and grace, who touched the lives of many with her kindness and generosity. She was Oma, a woman who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
