Neerja Bhanot

Quick Facts

Full Name	Neerja Bhanot
Occupation	Flight Attendant
Date Of Birth	Sep 7, 1963(1963-09-07)
Age	61
Date Of Death	1986-09-05
Birthplace	Chandigarh
Country	India
Horoscope	Virgo

Neerja Bhanot Biography

Neerja Bhanot is one of the most popular and richest Flight Attendant who was born on September 7, 1963 in Chandigarh, India. Neerja Bhanot (Ashoka Chakra), was an Indian head purser. She died on Pan Am Flight 73, which was hijacked by terrorists on a stopover in Karachi (Pakistan) on September 7, 1963. She was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra Award for India’s highest award for peacetime gallantry and a host of other awards from the governments of Pakistan, the United States, and others. While helping passengers to escape from the emergency exits, she was shot. The biopic Neerja, starring Sonam Kapoor and Ram Madhvani, was inspired by her life and heroism.

Bhanot’s brother Anesh was awarded the “Justice for Crimes Award” posthumously in Washington, D.C., during the Annual Crime Rights Week. The ceremony was held at the United States Attorney’s office for District of Columbia. The United States Department of Justice awarded her the Special Courage Award in

2006. She was joined by Pan Am Flight 73’s flight attendants and Pan Am Flight Director for Pakistan.

Neerja Bhanot also had two brothers, Akhil and Aneesh. She had an arranged marriage and moved in with her husband but the marriage began to deteriorate and she returned back to her home two months later. Her father, Harish Bhanot, worked as a journalist with The Hindustan Times for more than 30 years and died on New Year’s Day in 2008 in Chandigarh at the age of 86. Her mother died on 5 December 2015.

On 2 July 2016, the Bharat Gaurav Award was conferred on her at a ceremony held at the House of Commons, UK Parliament in London, England.

The Government of India awarded Bhanot, India’s highest gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra Award for bravery in face of enemy during peacetime. This award was first given to a woman and is her youngest recipient. The Indian Postal Service issued a stamp in her honor in 2004.

Neerja Bhanot Net Worth

Neerja Bhanot is one of the richest Flight Attendant from India. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Neerja Bhanot 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Bhanot applied to Pan Am for a job as a flight attendant. In 1985, Pan Am decided to hire an all-Indian cabin crew on its Frankfurt to India routes. After being selected, she traveled to Miami, Florida to train as a flight attendant. However, she returned as a purser. During her time at Pan Am, she also enjoyed a successful modeling career.

Bhanot was the Senior Flight Punter on Pan Am Flight 73, flying from Bombay into the United States. The aircraft was hijacked on 5 September 1986 by four armed men at Karachi airport, Pakistan. The aircraft carried 380 passengers and 13 crew. Terrorists planned to fly to Cyprus to free Palestinian prisoners held in Cyprus. Bhanot alerted the cockpit crew immediately after the hijackers boarded. As soon as the plane was on its apron the three-member cockpit crew (pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer) fled the aircraft through an overhead hatch. Bhanot, the most senior cabin crew member, took control of the situation in the plane.

The Civil Aviation Ministry of India conferred an honor on Bhanot posthumously on 18 February 2010 in New Delhi on the occasion of the launch of the celebrations of the centenary of Indian aviation.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Neerja Bhanot height Not available right now. Neerja weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Neerja Bhanot Dating?

According to our records, Neerja Bhanot married to Naresh Mishra. As of December 1, 2023, Neerja Bhanot’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Neerja Bhanot. You may help us to build the dating records for Neerja Bhanot!

Facts & Trivia

Neerja Ranked on the list of most popular Flight Attendant. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in India. Neerja Bhanot celebrates birthday on September 7 of every year.

What was Neerja Bhanot last words?

Mar jayungi lekin bhagungi nahin ” (If all mothers think like you, then what will happen to the country? I’d rather die than run away).” Those words came true on 5 September 1986 when Bhanot died while saving passengers on Pan Am Flight 73, which had been hijacked during a stopover in Karachi.

Was Neerja a true story?

The plot is based on a real-life event : the attempted hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan by Libyan-backed Abu Nidal Organization on 5 September 1986.

Why is Neerja called the heroine of the hijack answer?

Answer: Neerja, being the most senior cabin crew member on board, took charge of the flight when the other 3 members left the aircraft. Neerja opened the emergency door and helped a number of passengers escape. So, she can well be called the heroine of the hijack.

Is Rama Bhanot alive?

There will be no mourning in the Bhanot household. My mother lived a full and happy life, and that’s all that counts,” says Aneesh Bhanot, whose mother Rama Bhanot passed away after battling an illness on Saturday night. She was 86.

How was Neerja killed?

Neerja Bhanot Ashoka Chakra
Born| 7 September 1963 Chandigarh, India
Died| 5 September 1986 (aged 22) Karachi Airport, Sindh, Pakistan
Cause of death| Gunshot wound