K. M. Mathew Biography 
K. M. Mathew was a former Chief Editor of Kerala’s most leading Malayalam daily and India’s most circulated regional daily - Malayala Manorama. His wife Annamma Mathew was the founder chief editor of Vanitha, the largest selling women's magazine in India and a celebrity chef known for cooking recipes. Her recipes regularly featured in Vanitha Magazine. In 1998, the nation honoured K.M.Mathew with Padma Bhushan for his contributions to journalism and media. Foundation of Freedom of Information Award (1991), National Citizen’s award (1992), Ramakrishna Jay Dayal award (1995), Durga Prasad Chaudhary award (1996), Press Academy Award (1997) and B D Goenka Award (1996) are the other major awards received by him. On his first death anniversary, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp.
He was born in Alappuzha on January 2, 1917. He was born to K. C. Mammen Mappillai and Mammi in a small village, Kuppappuram as the eighth of 9 children. He studied at M.D.Seminary School, Kottayam and Leo XIII School and later studied history at CMS College Kottayam. He completed B.A Economics from Madras Christian College. He married Annamma Mathew on 7 September 1942. Mathew started his career in 1940 as a planter in Chikmagalur, joining hands with his brother K.M.Jacob in the family owned Bhadra Estate. He opened a balloon manufacturing facility named Mysore Rubber Factory. But it was closed very soon.
Later his younger brother K. M. Mammen Mappillai transferred the machinery to Chennai and started MRF Limited. Mathew moved to Mumbai and after spending 7 years, he returned to join Malayala Manorama at Kottayam as Managing Editor. In 1954, he became its General Manager and took office as the Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, following the death of his elder brother. He served the same position till his death in 2010.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 14, 2014
