I always find the life history of the kings and queens very interesting. Whether its their upbringing, their education, marriage life or the battles they fought, I find them really fascinating. Some of my favorite are Chatrapati sivaji, Rani Lakshi bai, Jodha bai, Noor jahan, Mugahal Emperor Akbar. Recently I came to know about one more Maharani - Sita Devi of Baroda. She was not a Maharani by birth but by destiny, led an extravagant life for over 40 years.
Sita Devi was born on 12th May, 1917 in Madras. She was the daughter of the Zamindar of Pithapuram - Sri Raja Rao and was married to Zamindar of Vayyur, Apparao Bahadur. They had three children together. In 1943, Sita devi attended a horse race at Madras, where Maharaja of Baroda Pratap Singh Gaekwar saw her. The Maharaja was mesmerised by Sita Devi. At that time Pratap Singh Gaekwar was the second richest Indian prince and was considered the eight richest man in world.
Sita Devi changed her religion to Muslim to dissolve her first marriage and to remarry the Maharaja. Later she changed back to Hinduism once again. In the year 1946 both went on a Europe trip to find their second home away from india and found that Monaco was the best suitable place for them. They bought a lavish house in Monte Carlo and Sita Devi took the citizenship of Monaco.
The Maharaja used to visit her often and every-time he came brought some precious treasures of Baroda for her, including the four celebrated pearl carpets, a famed seven-strand necklace of priceless pearls (called the Baroda pearls), a three-strand diamond necklace with the famous Pink Brazilian Star of the South 128.80-carat (25.76 g) diamond and the English Dresden 78.53-carat (15.71 g) diamond. They also had custody of the Empress Eugenie and the yellow Moon of Baroda diamonds. When Baroda was integrated into the newly independent India, it was difficult for the government bring back all the treasures as some of the jewels had been transferred to the Maharani's ownership.
She attended some of the most exclusive events and parties on the globe. In 1953 the Maharani sold a pair of bejeweiled anklets to Harry Winston. They had several large emeralds and diamonds. The jeweller set these stones into a spectacular necklace that was bought by the Duchess of Windsor. The Duchess wore this to a 1957 New York ball also attended by Sita Devi. When other guests were admiring the necklace. The Maharani was heard to exclaim that those jewels looked just as nice on her feet. The embarrassed Duchess returned the necklace to Winston.
The Maharani was a car enthusiast and was reportedly very fond of her Mercedes W126, which was custom made for her by Mercedes-Benz. At the 1969 Ascot Gold Cup she invited guests to touch the 30-carat sapphire on her right hand for good luck.
They both had a son together named Sayaji Rao Gaekwar born in 1945. He was the apple of her eye and used to call him by nickname Princie. Sita Devi divorced the Gaekwar in 1956. He promptly moved to London.
Even after her second divorce, she continued to live in grand style. Sita Devi and Princie were awarded citizenship of Monaco. She maintained a Paris apartment as well. When travelling she brought along a large wardrobe, reported to be a thousand saris, hundreds of paris of shoes and of course her jewellery. But her finances were eventually exhausted enough for her to secretly auction some of her beloved jewels in 1974.
The Maharani suffered a tragedy in 1985, when Princie committed suicide after his 40th birthday. The reason for his death is said to be alcoholism, drug addiction and his voracious sexual appetite. Sita Devi died four years later of natural causes. Some speculated it was due to a broken heart.