Meet Laila Mallya: Vijay Mallya's Adopted Daughter, Ex-IPL Assistant And Jewellery Designer

Vijay Mallya is a well known name in India, not just for his brand Kingfisher or luxury lifestyle, but also for the headlines that he keeps making. But most people don’t know much about his personal life, his adopted daughter, Laila Mallya. Unlike her famous father, Laila has chosen to stay away from the public eye and lead a peaceful and private life.

Laila was adopted by Vijay Mallya after he married Rekha Mallya in the early 1990s. She grew up in a world of fame and money but chose a very different path. While her father’s life became a constant media headline, Laila focused on her studies, followed her creative interests and stayed far from the spotlight. This article looks at who she really is, what she’s done in life and where she stands today, in 2025.

Laila Mallya’s early life and education

After Vijay Mallya got divorced from his first wife, Sameera Tayabji, the multi-millionaire businessman met his childhood crush, Rekha in 1993. At that time, Rekha also was heading for a divorce from her husband, Shahid Mahmood. Laila, born as Laila Mahmood, was the daughter of Rekha Mallya from her first marriage. In 1993, when Rekha married Vijay Mallya, he decided to legally adopt Laila as his daughter. Since then, she became a part of the Mallya family and took the surname 'Mallya'.

Laila went to Mallya Aditi International School in Bengaluru, Karnataka. After completing her schooling, she went to Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts, for her graduation in International Business and later, also went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. 

Laila Mallya's Profession

In 2009, she worked as an executive assistant to IPL founder, Lalit Modi, gaining early exposure to sports and event management. However, she didn't continue it for long. Soon, Laila returned to her creative interests, launching her jewellery label, Social Butterfly, which is known for blending traditional Indian designs with modern aesthetics. Her work received a lot of attention in Bengaluru’s fashion circles and was retailed through boutique store, Kahawa. By 2015, she was featured in Vogue India for her fresh approach to accessories. Though she avoided the public attention, her brand found a loyal audience. As of 2025, Laila quietly continues her work in jewellery design.

Laila Mallya’s siblings

Laila became a part of the Mallya family after her mother married Vijay. Though not his biological daughter, Vijay adopted her and treated her like his own. She grew up in a big and well-known family with two younger half-sisters, Leanna and Tanya Mallya, who are Vijay and Rekha’s children together. She also has an older biological brother Kabir, from her mother’s earlier marriage. 

Laila Mallya’s personal life

In 2011, Laila Mallya married Samar Singh, an investment banker, in a private ceremony held in Bali, Indonesia. The wedding was pretty intimate, with only close friends and family invited. Since then, Laila and Samar have chosen to live a quiet life, away from media attention and the controversies surrounding the Mallya family. Laila’s husband, Samar Singh is a good friend of politician Parth Pawar, who is the grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar. In 2019, Samar helped Parth with the marketing campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. 

More about Vijay Mallya

Recently, in a surprise appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast on YouTube, Vijay Mallya broke his years long silence and shared some fresh and candid revelations. He apologized to Kingfisher Airlines' former employees for the collapse of the airline, but strongly challenged the accusations against him and stated that he was a fugitive but not a thief. He also said he would consider returning to India only if he is assured of a fair trial and a respectful treatment. Mallya also spoke on the marketing success of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, giving credit to it for launching stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. This podcast was the most candid conversation he has had in a while. 

Laila Mallya may not be as famous as her father, but her life tells a different kind of story. She is a strong and independent woman who chose a quieter life, built her own career in fashion, and focused on her personal happiness. What do you think about her? Let us know

Next Read: Meet Vijay Mallya's Alleged Third Wife, Pinky Lalwani? Former Air Hostess Is 23 Years Younger To Him

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)