Let’s be honest — when your father is one of India’s most iconic military figures, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, it’s not easy to carve your own space. But Sherry Batliwala did just that, and with remarkable grace. From her days at Air India to living a quieter life in Chennai, she’s a woman who’s seen a world of change — and helped shape a bit of it too.
Let’s take a dive into the life of Sherry Batliwala — not just as the daughter of a legend, but as a woman with her own story worth telling.
Who is Sherry Batliwala?
Born on January 11, 1940, in the misty hills of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, Sherry Batliwala has lived through decades of transformation — from British-era India to the booming tech age of today. Her identity as the eldest daughter of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw gives her an undeniable historical linkage, but her own path through the world of corporate hospitality sets her apart.
She’s no social media influencer or public figure chasing the spotlight — instead, Sherry’s story is one of quiet accomplishment. Now 85 years old, she resides in Chennai with her husband, living a modest, grounded life.
Early Life & Family Ties: Born into Greatness
Let’s put it this way — growing up with Sam Manekshaw as a father is like having history sitting at your dinner table. Her father, affectionately known as Sam Bahadur, wasn’t just a military hero — he was the very first Indian Army officer to become a Field Marshal. Her mother, Silloo Manekshaw, was the calm counterbalance — a social worker and homemaker who held down the fort during her husband’s long postings.
Sherry also has a younger sister, Maya Daruwala, who once worked as a stewardess with British Airways and later went on to pursue her own path.
The Woman Behind the Name: Age, Appearance & Personality
At 85, Sherry Batliwala carries herself with that kind of timeless elegance that doesn’t need embellishment. She’s 5 feet 3 inches tall, with striking black eyes and rich, dark brown hair. Though she prefers a low profile, her grace and poise still carry a strong presence — much like her father’s, though softer around the edges.
Education: A Curious Mind on the Move
School life for Sherry wasn’t a straight path. With her father’s army career involving frequent transfers, she hopped between schools. But her determination for higher education brought her overseas — to Lambton College in Sarnia, Canada.
She wasn’t just there to pass the time. Sherry emerged as a Gold Medalist in Front Office Operations from IIHM (Indian Institute of Hotel Management), cementing her passion for hospitality and travel.
Career Chronicles: A Life in Hospitality
If you’ve ever dreamed of working in aviation or travel, Sherry was already living it decades ago. She began her career at Air India, a symbol of prestige in post-independence India, where she played a key role in front-line customer service and corporate management.
Later, she moved to Mercury Travels, taking on a leadership role as Regional Manager in Bangalore, Karnataka. Her ability to blend corporate precision with a people-first mindset made her a respected name in the travel and tourism sector. After decades of dedicated service, Sherry eventually retired, leaving behind a legacy of grace and professionalism.
Love Story: Meet Dinky Batliwala
Now, here’s the part that could easily be a page out of a 70s romance novel. While working at Air India, Sherry met Dinky Batliwala, an engineer at Swiss Airways. Sparks flew, as they say, and love bloomed mid-flight (figuratively speaking).
The couple tied the knot and have been together ever since, now settled in Chennai, quietly enjoying the fruits of their shared journey.
A Mother’s Pride: Brandy Batliwala
Sherry and Dinky have one daughter — Brandy Batliwala — who’s clearly inherited the family’s knack for hospitality. She’s currently living in New York, working in corporate hospitality. It seems the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Though not much is publicly known about Brandy’s personal life, her choice of career and international location say a lot about the values passed down from her mother — independence, professionalism, and poise.
Net Worth & Lifestyle: Comfortable, Not Flashy
If you’re looking for dollar signs and luxury numbers, Sherry’s not your typical headline-maker. There’s no confirmed public figure for her net worth, and that’s kind of refreshing. She’s never been about the glitz — her focus has always been on service, growth, and family.
What we do know is that she enjoyed a successful corporate career in reputable organizations — Air India and Mercury Travels — and lives comfortably in Chennai.
Social Media Presence: Quietly Offline
For someone who’s lived such an interesting life, Sherry Batliwala keeps things refreshingly low-key online. Yes, she has an Instagram account (@sherrybatliwala) with a modest following of 267 people. She also maintains a LinkedIn profile, but that’s about it.
In a world where oversharing is the norm, Sherry is a beautiful exception — quietly dignified and mostly offline.
A Few Quick Facts About Sherry Batliwala
- Sherry is a hospitality aficionado — and a gold medalist at that.
- She fell in love during her tenure at Air India — love stories can bloom at 30,000 feet!
- Her daughter Brandy lives in New York and works in corporate hospitality.
- She belongs to a Parsi family and is proud of her South Indian roots.
- Her father was portrayed by Vicky Kaushal in the movie Sam Bahadur, directed by Meghna Gulzar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Sherry Batliwala?
A: Sherry Batliwala is a retired corporate employee, best known as the elder daughter of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. She worked at Air India and Mercury Travels.
Q2: What is her age?
A: As of 2025, she is 85 years old.
Q3: Where does she live now?
A: Sherry currently resides in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with her husband.
Q4: What’s her educational background?
A: She graduated from Lambton College in Canada and is a gold medalist in Front Office Operations from IIHM.
Q5: Who is her husband?
A: Her husband is Dinky Batliwala, an engineer formerly associated with Swiss Airways.
Q6: Does she have children?
A: Yes, she has a daughter named Brandy Batliwala, who lives in New York.
Q7: Is she active on social media?
A: Not really — Sherry has an Instagram account and a LinkedIn profile, but she largely prefers privacy.
In Closing: More Than Just a Name
So, who is Sherry Batliwala beyond being Sam Manekshaw’s daughter?
She’s someone who forged her own journey in the corporate world, found love through her career, raised a daughter who followed in her footsteps, and still lives a grounded, fulfilling life — far from the spotlight, but never far from the hearts of those who know her story.
She reminds us that legacy isn’t just inherited — sometimes, it’s built quietly, day by day, in boardrooms, airports, and homes.
And that, folks, is the real story worth telling.
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