V. S. Ramadevi

V. S. Ramadevi (15 January 1934 – 17 April 2013) was an Indian politician who was the first lady to become the 8th Governor of Karnataka and 9th Chief Election Commissioner of India from 26 November 1990 to 11 December 1990. She was the first woman to become Chief Election Commissioner of India. She was succeeded by T. N. Seshan. Ramadevi was the first (and to date, only) woman to serve as Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, from 1 July 1993 to 25 September 1997. She was also the first and to date, the only female Governor of Karnataka, from 2 December 1999 to 20 August 2002.^[1]

V. S. Ramadevi
8th Governor of Karnataka
In office 2 December 1999 – 20 August 2002
Preceded by	Khurshed Alam Khan
Succeeded by	T.N. Chaturvedi
12th Governor of Himachal Pradesh
In office 26 July 1997 – 1 December 1999
Preceded by	Mahabir Prasad
Succeeded by	Vishnu Kant Shastri
Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha
In office 1 July 1993 – 25 July 1997[1]
Preceded by	Sudarshan Agarwal
Succeeded by	S. S. Sohoni[1]
Chief Election Commissioner of India
In office 26 November 1990 – 12 December 1990
Preceded by	R. V. S. Peri Sastri
Succeeded by	T. N. Seshan
Personal details
Born	(1934-01-15)15 January 1934 Chebrolu, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	17 April 2013(2013-04-17) (aged 79)[2] Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Cause of death	Cardiac arrest
Occupation	Civil servant

Career

Ramadevi was born in Chebrolu of West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India on 15 January 1934 (which happens to be the date of the Sankranti harvest festival). She was educated in Eluru. She registered her name as advocate after completing M.A. LLB in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. She served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh^[3] from 26 July 1997 to 1 December 1999 and as the Governor of Karnataka from 2 December 1999 to 20 August 2002.

She died on 17 April 2013 in her residence in HSR Layout Bangalore.^[2]