Modi was born in a Gujarati Hindu family and is a vegetarian. He has two older brothers and three younger brothers. He is married, but acknowledged the marriage only in April 2014, shortly before the national elections that swept him to power. His spouse is Jashodaben, a retired school teacher. The couple has remained married, but estranged for more than fifty years. He is a lifelong member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political arm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi became a 'Pracharak' (missionary worker) of the RSS in early 1970s. Since becoming a prachark, Modi has either cut down or reduced ties to his family per the RSS rules.