Sheila Dixit, who was born in Punjabi Khatri family, on March 31, 1938. She attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary School, New Delhi and completed her Masters in History from Miranda House College of the University of Delhi. Dixit also has a PHD degree in Philosophy from the University of Delhi.

Before venturing into politics Sheila Dixit had served the chairperson of the Young Women’s Association in the early 70s. During the stint, she had successfully set up two of the most successful working women’s hostel in Delhi. Later Dixit joined Garment Exporters' Association as an executive secretary.

Sheila Dixit claims that her entry into Indian politics was accidental. Her foray into politics began after she was married to Late Vinod Dikshit, son of Late Uma Shankar Dikshit, a renowned activist during India's independence struggle.

Sheila Dixit's husband Vinod was as an officer in the Indian Administrative Service. He died due to a heart attack on a train journey. The couple has two children including a son, Sandeep Dikshit, who is a member of the Indian National Congress from East Delhi.

Sheila Dixit helped her father-in-law when he became a union cabinet minister in the Indira Gandhi government. Then prime minister Indira Gandhi, impressed by her administrative skills, nominated Dikshit as an Indian delegate of the United Nations Commission on the issue of the status of women. This marked the entry of Sheila Dixit's entry into politics.

Sheila Dixit has also served as a Union Minister during 1986–1989. At first, she served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs but later she began serving as a Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

Sheila Dixit showed her efficeincy in handling two positions as minister of state in the prime minister's office and as minister of state for parliamentary affairs. 

Sheila Dixit had always raised voice for woman and supported women empowerment throughout her political journey. She was even incarcerated in August 1990 for 23 days by the Uttar Pradesh government for leading a movement against the atrocities being committed on women. 

Sheila Dixit became the Chief Minister of Delhi in 1998 and went on to hold the position till 2013. She had nearly served 15 years as the Chief Minister of Delhi. In 2013, Dixit was replaced by AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Sheila Dixit had received several awards and recognition for her work. In 2008, Dixit was awarded the Best Chief Minister of India, by Journalist Association of India and in 2009, she was awarded as Politician of the Year by NDTV. Indo-Iran Society also felicitated her by awarding Dara Shikoh award

Sheila Dixit also awarded Delhi Women of the Decade Achievers Award in 2013 by the ALL Ladies League.

Sheila Dixit had chaired the Implementation Committee formed to commemorate forty years of Indian Independence. She had also served as a chairman of the centenary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Sheila Dixit had handled several portfolios during her decades' long political career. Her portfolios include General Administration Department, Public Relations, Higher Education, Training & Technical Education, Administrative Reforms, Home Department, Legislative Affairs and Law & Justice, Services Department, Vigilance Department, Water, Art & Culture, and Environment, Forest & Wild Life Department.

Sheila Dixit became the governor of Kerala in March 2014, however, after five months she was later forced to resign.

On July 20, 2019, Sheila Dikshit passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi following a cardiac arrest. She was 81.