The First Lady of India from 1974 to 1977, Abida Ahmed was the wife of the fifth President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974–1977). She served as a member of the Lok Sabha twice, representing the Bareilly parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh in 1980 and 1984.
Born on 17 July 1923 in Sheikhupur, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, she was the daughter of Mohammad Sultan Hyder 'Josh'. Abida received her education from the Women's College, Aligarh, and the Aligarh Muslim University.
Bagum Abida Ahmed founded the society named "God's Grace", and Humsub Drama Group in 1974 for Urdu theatre.

• In 1996 some concerned Indians formed the God's Grace Foundation which was registered with the Registrar of Societies under the Indian Societies Registration Act. Begum Abida Ahmed, wife of the former President of India,
  The Foundation established leading schools in New Delhi.
• Humsub Drama Group formed by the late Begum Abida Ahmed in 1974, probably the first organisation in the post-Independence India to initiate a theatre movement to restore the glorious tradition of Urdu drama and theatre in the country.
  - Over the years, Humsub has staged 26 new as well as classics under the direction of eminent theatre directors like Habib Tanveer, B.M. Shah and Nadira Babbar, showcasing the beauty and vitality of the Urdu language and raising burning questions about prevailing social dichotomy. What is heartening is that these shows are watched with keen interest by the public.
• She was associated with various cultural, educational and women institutions;
• Chairperson of Ghalib Institute and Museum;
• Chairperson of India-Bhutan Friendship Association, New Delhi;
• Chairperson of Indo-Czechoslovakia Cultural Association;
• Chairperson of Unity International;
• Chairperson of Hakim Ajmal Khan Girls School, Darya Ganj, Delhi;
• Chairperson of Governing Body of Kalindi College, New Delhi;
• Chairperson of South Delhi Polytechnic for Women, New Delhi and home for the destitute women.
• Founder of Mahila Imdad Committee; Balika;
• Founder and chairperson Hum-Sub Drama Group,
• Founder and chairperson Ghalib Institute.
• Member; National Integration Council, New Delhi
• Patron, India-Tunisia Friendship Association.