Radhamani Amma, who is 74 years old and goes by the names Mani Amma or “Driver Amma,” has become an unlikely social media star after a video of her driving a Rolls-Royce Ghost in Dubai went viral.
The Kerala native wore a saree and drove the luxury car with confidence, which impressed people because she broke stereotypes about age and gender. The video, which she posted on her Instagram account @maniamma_official, shows her first showing her International Driving Permit, which is required by law to drive in other countries, and then getting behind the wheel.
What makes “Driver Amma” special?
Radhamani Amma’s journey goes far beyond fancy cars. She has 11 different driving licenses for cars, buses, trucks, cranes, and forklifts, which is not something that many people can do at any age. In Kerala, she runs a driving school where she teaches people how to drive big trucks and buses. She also always encourages women to work in fields that are usually male-dominated.
On her Instagram page, she often stresses composure over speed. In one caption, she mentions, “The best drivers are not those who drive with calm and control,” a notion which she applies both on the road and in life.
How did she start driving?
Radhamani Amma stated to The Indian Express earlier that she had been driving for more than 40 years. “I first ventured into driving when my husband advised,” she stated. In 1981, she got her four-wheeler license, and in 1984, she got her heavy vehicle license. Reflecting on the changing times, she told the news outlet, “Driving is now considered a necessity for both men and women.”
At that time, it was rare for women to drive such vehicles in Kerala. She kept growing her institute even after personal setbacks, like losing her husband in 2004. Later, the India Book of Records recognised her for having the most driving licenses held by a 70-year-old.
Anand Mahindra, a business leader, also saw her story and shared her video on social media, calling her his “MondayMotivation” and praising her love of life. Driver Amma’s posts make it clear over and over again that she believes that learning never stops and that confidence comes from hard work, not fear, no matter how old you are.