Vijay Mallya is a name that once meant luxury, parties, and the good life. Many people admired his larger-than-life image and his passion for business. But today, Mallya’s name is also linked to financial scams and loan defaults, making him a controversial figure.
However, there is also another side to his life that many people don’t know much about — his personal relationships. Let’s take a look at his journey with his three wives and understand how his love life evolved over the years.
1️⃣ Sameera Tayabji – Vijay Mallya’s First Wife
Vijay Mallya’s love story with Sameera Tayabji started during a business trip in 1986. While flying on an Air India flight to the USA, he met Sameera, who was working as an air hostess at that time. It was love at first sight for Mallya, and they quickly got married the same year.
Soon after their wedding, Sameera and Vijay welcomed their son, Siddhartha Vijay Mallya, into the world. Hoping for a fresh start, the couple shifted to England with their young son. However, their marriage did not last long. Due to constant arguments and differences, they ended up separating just a year after tying the knot.
Siddhartha was still very young when he came to know about his parents’ divorce. Later, in his book “If I’m Honest,” Siddhartha shared how his parents’ divorce affected his mental health and made him feel lonely.
2️⃣ Rekha – Vijay Mallya’s Second Wife
After his divorce from Sameera, Vijay Mallya’s life took a different turn. In 1993, he met Rekha, who was his childhood crush. Rekha was in the process of ending her second marriage with Shahid Mahmood.
Rekha had already been married twice — first to Pratap Chettiappa, a coffee planter, and then to Shahid Mahmood, with whom she had two children named Kabir and Laila. When she met Mallya again, they decided to get married. Rekha accepted his proposal, and they began a new journey together.
Interestingly, after Rekha’s divorce from Shahid, she got custody of her daughter, Laila. Vijay Mallya accepted Laila as his own daughter and welcomed her into his family. With Rekha, Vijay Mallya also had two daughters together — Tanya and Leanna.
However, reports suggest that even Vijay and Rekha’s marriage went through a rough patch. Though there were many rumours about their separation, it is now believed that they are no longer together.
3️⃣ Pinky Lalwani – The Alleged Third Wife
In recent years, news emerged that Vijay Mallya had a close relationship with Pinky Lalwani, a former air hostess whom he met during his Kingfisher Airlines days. Pinky and Mallya were often spotted together at social events and in the media. Many people believed that Pinky was his third wife, though there is no official confirmation of their marriage.
Pinky stood by Mallya’s side even during his legal battles and controversies, and the media kept speculating about their relationship. While their relationship was never officially announced, it became a topic of gossip in social circles.
Conclusion
Vijay Mallya’s life has been full of ups and downs, not just in his business but also in his personal life. His three relationships — with Sameera Tayabji, Rekha, and the alleged relationship with Pinky Lalwani — show us a different side of the man who was once called the “King of Good Times.”
Today, while Mallya remains in the news for financial controversies and court cases, his love life also continues to interest many people. These relationships reveal that behind the high-profile image, there was also a human side filled with love, heartbreak, and drama.