Vimala Sharma

Vimala Devi Sharma ( – 15 August 2020) was an Indian social worker, women's rights activist, and politician who served as the First Lady of India from 1992 to 1997 and the Second Lady of India & as First Lady of 3 of the Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab during the governorship of her husband, the late President Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Sharma died, at age 93, in August 2020 while recovering from COVID-19.

Early life Vimala Sharma was originally from Rajasthan and spent most of her early life in Jaipur. She married Shankar Dayal Sharma, who later became President of India from 1992 to 1997.

She was a social worker by profession. Her husband, Shankar Dayal Sharma, was also elected as the first MLA from the same Udaipura seat upon the district's creation in 1962.

She remained highly involved in social and charitable organisations throughout her later life, especially in the Bhopal and Raisen districts, according to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Death In June 2020, Sharma developed breathing difficulties, a symptom of COVID-19. She exhibited low oxygen levels on 5 June and tested positive for COVID-19 on 6 June 2020. Sharma was immediately admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre in New Delhi, where she was treated for COVID-19 for 18 days. Her condition continued to deteriorate for the first four days of her hospitalisation before she began to show some improvement to her health. Sharma received high flow oxygen through a nasal cannula and was given antibiotics, but was not placed on a ventilator. She was discharged from AIIMS Hospital on 25 June 2020, but still required 2-3 litres of nasal oxygen per hour during her recovery. Vimala Sharma, who was 93-years old at the time of her diagnosis and hospitalisation, was one of the oldest coronavirus patients to be released from the hospital in Delhi during the pandemic, though she never completely recovered from the illness.

Vimala Sharma died in Bhopal on 15 August 2020, at the age of 93, less than 2 months after her hospitalisation for COVID-19. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted his condolences, writing, "Sad to hear about the demise of Mrs. Vimala Sharma, wife of former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. My condolences to his family and loved ones." Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan also sent public condolences.