Tulsi Gabbard, American politician and military officer, was born to Mike Gabbard and Carol Porter on April 12, 1981. She is currently Director of National Intelligence.
Gabbard, the first Hindu-American woman to serve in Congress, is named after Tulsi, the sacred plant in Hinduism. Tulsi practices Hinduism and old videos of her chanting Hare Krishna are quite popular over social media.
Is Tulsi Gabbard Indian?
Due to her Hindu name, there have been misconceptions about her heritage. Gabbard had clarified in 2012 that she has no Indian roots. “I am not of Indian origin,” she had confirmed.
Gabbard was raised with five siblings in Hawaii. Her father is a Catholic-turned-Hindu and has also served as a Hawaii State Senator.
She grew up in a Samoan family with her sister Vrindavan, and brothers Jay, Bhakti and Aryan. Her upbringing was influenced by principles from the Bhagavad Gita and the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), a Vaishnava Hindu group related to ISKCON. She is a yoga enthusiast and practices meditation.
Among all the Gabbard siblings, Vrindavan Gabbard has always been in limelight because of her close bond with Tulsi. She is currently a deputy US Marshal. “This post is dedicated to my beautiful sister – the greatest sister and friend of all time. I’m a few days late for her birthday but my phone died, and with it went my pictures. There aren’t enough words to express the sweetness, kindness, loyalty, generosity, strength, resilience, and courage that is my amazing sister. I love you @vrindavan. Thank you for being my ride-or-die best friend from the moment I watched you come into this world and through the many adventures we’ve had along the way. Thank you for all that you selflessly sacrifice and give. I’m so grateful to serve alongside you 🙏🏽 I love you!!!!!,” Tulsi had shared a heartwarming post on Instagram about her sister Vrindavan.
Tulsi also has three brothers—Bhakti, Aryan and Jai—whose names, like hers, are deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy. Bhakti’s name reflects devotion, embodying the family’s strong spiritual beliefs, while Jai’s name signifies victory and strength, aligning with the family’s values. The Gabbard family’s commitment to their faith is evident in their naming traditions, which have played a significant role in shaping the identities and paths of the siblings. Tulsi’s upbringing in a diverse and spiritually rich household has profoundly influenced her worldview and political career.