Gyalo Thondup (1928-2025) was a key political figure in Tibet and the elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama. Born in Takster, China, he was the only one of his siblings not destined for a religious life and was instead sent abroad for education. He became a central figure in Tibetan politics, advocating for his brother’s safe passage to India following the 1959 Tibetan uprising and working tirelessly for Tibetan autonomy.

Throughout his life, Thondup engaged with international leaders, including Indian and American authorities, seeking support for Tibet’s independence. In the 1950s, he collaborated with the CIA to resist Chinese control, and over the decades, he held diplomatic talks with Chinese officials, urging engagement despite political tensions.

Thondup chronicled his experiences in his 2015 autobiography, The Noodlemaker of Kalimpong, detailing his role in Tibet’s geopolitical struggles. He died in February 2025 at the age of 97 in Kalimpong, India.

Read more about Mr. Thondup in this New York Times article; Gyalo Thondup, Political Operator and Brother of the Dalai Lama, Dies at 97.