When luck favors, everything will be fine might sound fatalistic. Nevertheless, Sonali Deraniyagala was lucky enough to survive a Tsunami that took the life of her whole family.

So, where were they and who were killed in the Tsunami, and how was Sonali able to survive it? Is she single after the unimaginable tragedy or is she in another relationship? Let’s get the details below.

Who is Sonali Deraniyagala? Also, Know Her Early Life and Family

Born in 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sonali Deraniyagala is a Sri Lankan memoirist and economist. She is currently, a faculty at the department of economics at SOAS University of London. She rose to prominence only after the publication of her memoir, Wave in 2013.

The Snippet of Sonali Deraniyagala

The Snippet of Sonali Deraniyagala
Image Source: BBC

Deraniyagala’s book, Wave reflects her experience of an Indian Ocean Tsunami to which she lost both her whole family in 2004. For her memoir, Deraniyagala won the PEN Ackerly Prize in 2013 and it was also shortlisted for National Book Critics Circle Award in the autobiography category in 2014.

Who is Sonali Deraniyagala’s Married to?

Sonali Deraniyagala is currently in a same-sex marital relationship with her life partner, Fiona Shaw. Deraniyagala’s spouse, Shaw is a prominent Irish actor as well as a theater and opera director.

Sonali Deraniyagala and her partner, Fiona Shaw

Sonali Deraniyagala and her partner, Fiona Shaw
Image Source: Mirror

The openly lesbian couple of Sonali and Fiona tied the knot in 2018. After the tragic incident that took the life of her entire family, Sonali has found a partner to lean on to. And both the pair are on cloud nine for the beginning of their relationship.

Past Relationship Status

Deraniyagala was previously in a marital relationship with her late husband, Stephen Lissenburgh. They exchanged their wedding vows in 1988. Their relationship was an ideal one until the devastating day arrived in their lives.

Sonali's husband Stephen Lissenburgh and their sons

Sonali’s husband Stephen Lissenburgh and their sons
Image Source: Daily Mail

When the Tsunami wave swept them away, Deraniyagala Stephen’s elder son, Nikhil Lissenburgh was 7 years old while their younger son, Vikram Lisseburgh was 5. The family of three generations was on a vacation at Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park on that day. While five disappeared from the scene, Sonali was able to survive by clinging to a tree.

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Her late husband, Stephen was an economist. In contrast, her current life partner is an actress. She is famous as Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter series.

Net Worth and Salary

Sonali Deraniyagala has a net worth of $800 thousand. She earned her fortune by working as a professor and researcher. On the other hand, Sonali’s partner, Fiona Shaw has a net worth of $5 million. 

According to DISCOVERPHDS, The average salary of a professor in London-based universities is $100,933 per year. Also, Sonali works as a research scholar at Columbia University in New York and hence, she lives both in New York and London.

Deraniyagala’s memoir, Wave is highly read and recommended. The 240 paged book has a Hardcover price of $32.54, paperback price of $13.12, and audio CD price of $14.99 on Amazon.

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In 2013, Wave was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards Best Memoir & Autobiography. Similarly, in 2014, it got the nomination for National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography. Besides that, she is not available on social media platforms.

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