How did Sunita become Williams from Pandya, what is their love story, when did they get married

When Sunita was studying in college, her full name was Sunita Deepak Pandya. Even when she went to the US Navy for her first job, people knew her by this name and surname. Then how did she become Williams from Pandya

Do you know how Sunita Pandya became Sunita Williams? This 59-year-old astronaut is in the news all over the world today. She went to the International Space Station for a week but got stuck there for 9 months. When she returned to Earth, her husband heaved a sigh of relief. Who is her husband? How did they both fall in love? When did they get married?

Sunita Williams' husband's name is Michael J. Williams. Michael is a federal marshal. Now he lives a retired life. Earlier he was a helicopter pilot. He met Sunita in the US Navy, where both of them used to fly helicopters. This couple has been married for more than 25 years.

Sunita's father went to America from Gujarat. His name was Dr. Deepak Pandya. Her mother was of Slovenian origin. This couple gave birth to Sunita, her brother and sister. Before marriage, during college and her first job in the Navy, people knew her by the name of Sunita Deepak Pandya. Her father was a neuroanatomist, who was born in Jhulasan village of Mehsana district of Gujarat. He went to America in 1958 for medical studies. He died in 2020.

Married for more than 25 years,

Sunita adopted the “Williams” in her name when she married Michael J. Williams in the late 90s. She is now known as Sunita Williams. In the Western tradition too, the husband's surname is taken after marriage.

Sunita Williams with her husband Michael Williams

However, Sunita has always proudly accepted her Indian origin and Pandya family identity. Even during space missions, she has been mentioning her father's Gujarati origin and Hindu culture. By the way, now the full name she writes is Sunita Pandya Williams. Sunita's elder brother is Jai Thomas Pandya and Dina Anand is the elder sister. Sunita is the youngest in the family.

Husband and family waited calmly for 9 months

Of course, when Sunita Williams was stuck in space for more than 09 months, it was a matter of concern for her family, but they were confident that she would return. Overall, Sunita's husband and family maintained a calm and positive attitude about the delay in her return.

Husband has been a Federal Marshal

Now let's know about her husband before her love story. Michael J. Williams is a retired Federal Marshal. He has served in the US Navy as a helicopter pilot. His professional background has been related to military and law enforcement. However, he keeps a low profile and is enjoying his retirement life.

He is of American origin. He was trained in the Navy before meeting Sunita. Michael is known as a calm and supportive person. He has always supported Sunita's career during her space missions. He appreciates her strong mindset.

When did this love story begin?

This love story began in the late 1980s when both Sunita and Michael were training as helicopter pilots in the US Navy. Sunita graduated from the Naval Academy in 1987. Then she began training to become a helicopter pilot.

They fell in love while flying helicopters together

as they were in the same profession and both enjoyed flying helicopters. They often flew helicopters together. This brought them closer. Sunita once said that her friendship with Michael slowly turned into love. Their physical fitness and adventurous lifestyle also made their pair stronger.

Both of them were in a relationship before marriage

. First they became friends. Then they fell in love. However, both of them were in no hurry to get married. After being friends for many years and then in a relationship, they decided to get married. They got married in the late 1990s. Then Sunita was on her way to becoming an astronaut in NASA. This wedding was simple, in which close family and friends were involved.

Lifestyle not easy

However, Sunita's space career keeps her away from home for long periods. Michael has accepted this unusual lifestyle. He always supports her. They have no children. They just have two pet dogs. When Sunita is not at home, Michael takes care of them at home. Both of their lives have been full of adventure and respect for each other, which makes them a unique couple.

The two kept talking from space

However, there was a constant conversation between the two from the space station in space. Astronauts stationed on the ISS can regularly talk to their families through video conferencing. Michael would have got a chance to talk to Sunita once or twice a week. Sunita had expressed her desire to meet her family and dogs during a live call on March 4, 2025, which shows that they were in touch and Michael was aware of her feelings.

Email is also possible from space

Astronauts can also communicate via email from the ISS. This system is a little slow, as the messages first go to NASA's ground station, then reach the family. Michael and Sunita may have kept in touch with each other in this way too.

PC:News18