Patel has handled the education portfolio and virtually turned around the department, and is presently handling key ministries like revenue, urban development, roads and buildings.
"Behind her soft exterior is a tough and decisive woman who knows exactly how to deal with the bureaucracy and get work done without any excuses or compromises," said former journalist Bashir Pathan, who has watched her political career for two decades.
Even in her high school, she was the only girl - and a good athlete - among 700 boys students.
She went on to do masters in science and education. A mother of two, she is also known to do yoga and pranayam regularly.
Over the years as minister and four-time legislator, Patel earned the confidence of Modi who made her chairperson of a group of ministers which ruled Gujarat after he was declared the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in September 2013 and began remaining mostly away from the state.
