Gyanendra Shah was born on July 7, 1947, in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was the son of King Mahendra of Nepal and Crown Princess Indra. He grew up in the royal palace in Kathmandu and received his education at Tribhuvan University.
Gyanendra became king of Nepal at a young age, serving as king from 1950 to 1951 when his grandfather went into political exile in India. However, it was not until 2001 that he officially ascended to the throne for the second time, following the tragic passing of his nephew, Prince Dipendra.
During his reign from 2001 to 2008, Gyanendra faced several challenges. He was unable to quell a Maoist insurgency that had been brewing in Nepal for years. This led to widespread protests and calls for his resignation. In 2008, a historic vote by the Nepalese Constituent Assembly abolished the monarchy, effectively ending Gyanendra's reign.
In 1970, Gyanendra married Queen Komal of Nepal. The couple had two children, Paras Shah and Prerana Shah Singh. Gyanendra also had a close relationship with his siblings, including his brother Birendra and sister Sharada. He was known to be a dedicated family man, often spending time with his grandchildren Hridayendra, Purnika, and Kritika.
Aside from his role as king, Gyanendra was also involved in various philanthropic endeavors. He served as the chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, demonstrating his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. He was also known for his efforts to promote cultural preservation and heritage in Nepal.
Despite the controversies and challenges he faced during his reign, Gyanendra Shah remains an important figure in Nepalese history. He is remembered as the last king of the Shah dynasty and the only person to have been king of Nepal twice. His impact on the country's political landscape and cultural heritage cannot be understated.