Vijay Mallya is a name that evokes images of high-flying parties, lavish yachts, and the spectacular rise and fall of a business tycoon. The former Indian billionaire, dubbed the ‘King of Good Times,’ made headlines not only for his success with Kingfisher Airlines and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but also for his infamous financial fraud cases. Yet, one name that rarely comes up in conversations about Mallya’s personal life is that of his adopted daughter, Laila Mallya. Let’s delve into her life story, education, career, controversies, and her relationship with one of IPL’s most controversial figures, Lalit Modi.
Who Is Laila Mallya?
Laila Mallya was born Laila Mahmood on April 6, 1979, in San Francisco, USA. She is the daughter of Rekha, who was Vijay Mallya’s childhood crush and later became his second wife. Rekha had two children—Laila Mahmood and Kabir Mahmood—from her previous marriage to Shahid Mahmood. After Rekha’s divorce, she married Vijay Mallya in 1993 and moved in with him along with her daughter.
Vijay Mallya embraced Laila as his own, adopting her legally and giving her his surname. Thus, Laila Mahmood became Laila Mallya, a name that would later spark intrigue during the IPL controversies.
Laila Mallya’s Education and Early Life
Laila’s early schooling was at the prestigious Mallya Aditi International School in Bengaluru, Karnataka—one of India’s most elite institutions. After completing her schooling, she pursued her Bachelor’s degree in International Business at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Demonstrating her creative streak, Laila furthered her education at the renowned Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.
Laila Mallya’s Professional Life: Stylist and Jewellery Designer
Far from just being the adopted daughter of a controversial businessman, Laila carved her own path in the fashion world. She became a Vogue stylist and launched her own jewellery line named Social Butterfly. Her designs are outsourced to Kahava, a lifestyle store in Bengaluru, reflecting her unique blend of international flair and Indian heritage.
Laila’s keen interest in fashion saw her making appearances at several Fashion Week shows, where she showcased her creative talents on a bigger stage.
Laila Mallya’s Marriage to Samar Singh
In 2011, Laila Mallya married Samar Singh, an investment banker. The wedding took place in Bali in a private ceremony with fewer than 250 guests. Interestingly, Samar Singh is a close friend of Parth Pawar, the grand-nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Samar’s ties to politics deepened when he helped Parth with his 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign.
This connection raised eyebrows among Congress leaders, who criticized Parth’s association with the fugitive businessman’s son-in-law, given Vijay Mallya’s notoriety.
The IPL Controversy: Laila Mallya’s Link to Lalit Modi
One of the most controversial chapters in Laila’s life unfolded in 2010, during the IPL saga that rocked Indian cricket. At the time, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi was under investigation for financial irregularities. Amid the chaos, the Income Tax Department raided a hotel in Mumbai where Modi was staying.
During the raid, CCTV footage showed a woman—carrying documents and a laptop—walking out suspiciously. The footage later revealed her identity: Laila Mallya. Reports suggested she was working as Lalit Modi’s personal assistant, which only fueled speculation.
Vijay Mallya, when questioned, responded:
“My stepdaughter Laila Mahmood works for Lalit Modi. I know nothing about this. I called Lalit Modi and he confirmed that she has given a statement to Income Tax.”
Though Laila never issued a public statement, her involvement with Lalit Modi during one of IPL’s biggest scandals remains one of the most talked-about episodes in her life.
The Mallya Family Tree: Siblings and Half-Siblings
Laila shares a complicated yet fascinating family dynamic. She has a stepbrother, Sidhartha Mallya, the only child from Vijay Mallya’s first marriage to Sameera Tayabji. Sidhartha made his mark in the entertainment world as an actor and was also a director at Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Laila also has two half-sisters:
-
Leanna Mallya, daughter of Vijay and Rekha, who lives in San Francisco.
-
Tanya Mallya, also daughter of Vijay and Rekha, who is passionate about photography and once participated in a National Geographic Student Expedition to Paris.
Despite their father’s controversial status, each sibling has followed their own path, adding more complexity to the Mallya family story.
Conclusion
From being adopted by one of India’s most controversial businessmen to carving her own path in the fashion world and getting tangled in IPL’s biggest controversy, Laila Mallya’s life has been anything but ordinary. Her story exemplifies how children of famous parents often find themselves under the spotlight—sometimes for reasons beyond their control.