Before joining politics, where she had series of controversies to her credit, Ilmi worked in TV industry continuously for 15 years. She was anchor at the Star news channel before turning into the role of social activist through Anna Hazare's India against corruption movement. She was spokesperson for the campaign (2011-12) which shot her to fame. She has her political lineage as one of her uncle is the member of Legislative Assembly in Uttar Pradesh Government. Then her sister is married to Arif Mohammed Khan who is in Bahujan Samaj Party at present but known as a supporter of Indian National Congress. Politically her family is considered, closest to congress than any other party. Shazia Ilmi-A Controversial child