Sushila Karki Biography: Early Life, Education, Career, New Appointment, Nationality, Age 2025

FrikB 24 minutes ago

0 6 minutes read

Sushila Karki is a name that carries weight, respect, and inspiration in Nepal and beyond. She has lived a life of resilience, dedication, and courage, breaking barriers at every step of her journey. From her humble beginnings in a farming family in eastern Nepal to becoming the first female Chief Justice of Nepal and later the first female Prime Minister of the country in an interim government, her story is one of perseverance and trailblazing achievements. She stood strong in the face of challenges, including political attacks, imprisonment, and attempts to silence her voice, but she never backed down from her commitment to justice and fairness. This biography explores her life in detail, including her family, early years, education, career in law and politics, her key achievements, her role as an author, and her continuing influence as a symbol of integrity in public life.

Table of Contents

Early Life and Family Background

Sushila Karki was born on 7 June 1952 in Biratnagar, Morang District, located in eastern Nepal. She was the eldest of seven children. Her father, whose name was Shankhar Karki, was a farmer who worked hard to support the family in a rural village called Shankarpur. Her mother, Laxmi Devi Karki, managed the household and supported her children’s education despite limited resources. As the eldest child, Sushila grew up with a sense of responsibility, often helping her parents while also taking care of her younger siblings. She had six brothers and sisters, and her leadership qualities were visible even in her early childhood. The Karki family believed in education, and even though times were hard, her parents encouraged her to study. This encouragement played a vital role in shaping her future.

Education and Academic Journey

Sushila Karki’s path to education was not easy. Coming from a farming background in a society where girls’ education was not always prioritized, she had to work hard to prove her determination. She completed her early schooling in Biratnagar before joining Mahendra Morang College, which was part of Tribhuvan University. In 1972, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Eager to pursue further education, she traveled to India to study at the prestigious Banaras Hindu University (BHU). There, she completed her Master’s degree in Political Science in 1975. This experience opened her mind to broader ideas about democracy, justice, and equality. After finishing her master’s, she returned to Nepal and joined Tribhuvan University again, this time to study law. By 1978, she had completed her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. With this, her foundation for a legal career was complete, and she was ready to step into the challenging world of law and justice.

Early Career and Struggles

Sushila Karki started her career in 1979 as a legal advocate in Biratnagar. At that time, the legal profession was dominated by men, and women were rarely seen in positions of influence. She had to prove her worth constantly, facing both social prejudice and professional challenges. But her intelligence, hard work, and honesty quickly made her stand out.

In 1985, alongside her legal work, she also worked as an assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan. She taught Political Science, combining her love for teaching with her passion for law. Her involvement in Nepal’s 1990 People’s Movement (also known as Jana Andolan), which fought against the Panchayat system, marked a turning point in her life. She actively joined the pro-democracy protests and was even imprisoned in Biratnagar for her participation. This experience left a deep impact on her and later inspired her to write the book Kara, which reflected her days behind bars and her belief in freedom and justice. Sushila’s breakthrough in the legal field came when she was appointed as an ad hoc Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal in January 2009. This was a recognition of her years of hard work and her reputation as a lawyer of integrity. Later, she was made a permanent Justice of the Supreme Court, where she gained national attention for her bold rulings and independent stance. Her judicial career reached its peak on 11 July 2016, when she was appointed as the Chief Justice of Nepal, becoming the first woman in the country’s history to hold that prestigious position. She served until 6 June 2017. As Chief Justice, she became known for her strong stance against corruption and her willingness to challenge the government when it overstepped its boundaries. She also gave progressive rulings that expanded the rights of women, including greater recognition in matters of citizenship for children of Nepali women.

Controversies and Challenges

Her boldness, however, did not come without consequences. In 2017, members of Parliament filed an impeachment motion against her, accusing her of bias and interfering in executive powers. According to Nepal’s constitution, she was automatically suspended from her role as Chief Justice while the case was considered. The impeachment was seen by many as politically motivated, especially because she had issued rulings that went against the interests of powerful leaders. Public support grew for her, and ultimately, the impeachment motion failed because it could not secure the required supermajority in Parliament. This incident highlighted both her courage and the risks of standing firm against political pressure. Years after her retirement from the judiciary, Nepal once again turned to Sushila Karki during a time of crisis.

In 2025, the country was rocked by widespread protests led by the younger generation, who were angry about corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability. The protests forced then-Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. On 12 September 2025, Sushila Karki was appointed as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal under Article 61 of the Constitution. With this, she made history again, becoming the first woman ever to serve as the Prime Minister of Nepal, even if in an interim capacity. Her main responsibility as interim leader is to maintain stability and organize general elections scheduled for March 2026. Her appointment was widely welcomed by the public, as she was seen as a neutral figure with a clean image who could restore trust in government.

Achievements

Sushila Karki’s life is filled with achievements that reflect her courage, hard work, and honesty. Some of her most notable accomplishments include:

First Female Chief Justice of Nepal – She broke gender barriers in a male-dominated profession.
First Female Prime Minister of Nepal – Her appointment in 2025 was a historic moment for women and democracy in Nepal.
Landmark Rulings – She passed judgments that strengthened women’s rights, curbed corruption, and defended the independence of the judiciary.
Author – She wrote books like Nyaya and Kara, which reflected her personal experiences and her vision of justice.
Democracy Activist – Her active role in the 1990 People’s Movement showed her commitment to democracy long before she held high office.

Personal Life

Sushila Karki is married to Durga Prasad Subedi, who has been supportive throughout her journey. Despite her busy public life, she has always valued her family deeply. She is also known as a writer and thinker, not just a legal and political figure. Her literary works connect her professional struggles with her personal experiences, making her an influential voice in Nepalese society.

Net Worth

Exact figures of Sushila Karki’s net worth are not publicly available, as she has always been known for her simple lifestyle and honesty. Unlike many politicians and officials accused of amassing wealth, she has a reputation for integrity. Based on available reports and her years of service as a justice and later Prime Minister, her net worth is believed to be modest, mainly from her salary, pension, and savings. She is respected not for wealth but for her values and contributions.

Legacy and Significance

Sushila Karki’s story is not just about personal success; it is about breaking barriers for women and fighting for justice in a society that often resisted change. She is admired as a role model for young women, a symbol of honesty in public life, and a voice of reason during political crises. Her life proves that leadership is not about power or wealth, but about courage, integrity, and service to the people. Whether as a teacher, a lawyer, a justice, or the Prime Minister, she has always upheld these values.

Conclusion

From the fields of Biratnagar to the highest office in Nepal, Sushila Karki’s journey is truly extraordinary. She has faced challenges that would have discouraged many, but she always stood firm in her belief in justice and equality. Her rise to become the first female Chief Justice and later the first female Prime Minister of Nepal marks her as a historic figure whose influence will be remembered for generations. At a time when Nepal needed a leader of integrity, she once again answered the call, proving that her life is not just a personal journey but also a guiding light for her nation.