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Image source: StarsUnfolded

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Hema Malini Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth16 October 1948

Age76 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceJeeyapuram, Tiruchirappalli district, Madras Presidency, India

ProfessionActress & Politician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidow

SpouseDharmendra (actor) (m. 1980; until his death in 2025)

FamilyDaughters - Esha Deol, Ahana Deol; Step-children - Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijayta Deol, Ajeeta Deol

Net worthRs. 101 Crore (approx., as of 2019)

Hema Malini Biography

Hema Malini is an Indian actress, dancer and politician known as the 'Dream Girl'. With a film career stretching back to the 1960s and a sustained presence

Early life and background
Hema Malini Chakravarty was born on 16 October 1948 in Jeeyapuram, in the Tiruchirappalli district of what was then the Madras Presidency. Raised in a Tamil-speaking family, she was the third child of V. S. R. Chakravarti and Jaya Lakshmi Chakravarti. Her mother worked in film production, and Hema began training in classical dance at a young age. She left formal schooling after the 12th standard to pursue a career in the performing arts.

Career
Hema Malini’s screen debut came in regional cinema: she first appeared as a dancer in a 1963 Tamil film. Her Hindi film debut followed in 1968 as a lead actress. Over the 1970s she became one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses, earning a reputation and a popular sobriquet after starring in a 1977 film that helped cement her public image. She appeared in numerous films across decades and was frequently paired with actor Dharmendra, featuring with him in many titles beginning with their early collaboration in 1970.

A trained Bharatanatyam dancer with familiarity in Kuchipudi, Hema has continued to perform and has involved her daughters in dance training. Beyond acting and dance, she has directed films and taken part in television work.

Political career
Hema Malini has been active in politics as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Her political involvement dates back to campaigning in the late 1990s. In 2003 she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha and served as a member until 2009. She formally joined the BJP in February 2004 and later held party responsibilities, including a period as general secretary. Transitioning to electoral politics, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mathura constituency in 2014, re-elected in 2019, and won the seat again in 2024.

Awards and recognition
Over her film career Hema received multiple Filmfare nominations for Best Actress and won a Filmfare award in 1972. In 2000 she received a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored that year with the Padma Shri by the government of India.

Public profile
Hema Malini’s public image blends cinema, classical dance and politics. She is known for her advocacy on a range of animal and environmental issues and has supported campaigns and petitions related to animal welfare. She maintains a visible presence in cultural circles through dance performances and public appearances. Her personal tastes include vegetarian food and classical literature, and she has been associated with endorsements tied to water purification.

Personal life and family
Hema Malini married fellow actor Dharmendra on 2 May 1980. They raised two daughters together, and she is mother to Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The family expanded through earlier relationships in Dharmendra’s life; she is stepmother to his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol and daughters Vijayta Deol and Ajeeta Deol. Hema has spoken publicly about the centrality of dance in her life and continues to practice and teach classical forms.

Latest updates
Hema Malini’s political work in recent years has focused on representing Mathura in the Lok Sabha, where she secured consecutive electoral victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024. Her public activities also include cultural performances and advocacy on animal welfare and environmental topics.

Physical attributes and interests
She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with dark brown eyes and black hair. Hobbies listed in public profiles include dancing, driving and practicing yoga. She follows a vegetarian diet and has described environmental and animal-friendly motivations behind her food choices.

Controversies and public debate
Over the years Hema Malini’s public life has included controversies reported in media coverage, ranging from property allotment disputes to criticism of statements and questions about attendance in parliamentary sessions. Incidents involving traffic accidents reported in public records have also drawn attention. These matters have been part of broader public discussion around her dual roles in film and politics.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Hema Malini, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Lok Sabha member, Mathura constituency

Re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014, 2019 and 2024 representing Mathura

2014-2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut as dancer in a 1963 Tamil film
  2. Hindi film lead debut in 1968
  3. Awarded Padma Shri in 2000
  4. Served in Rajya Sabha (2003–2009)
  5. Elected MP from Mathura in 2014, 2019 and 2024
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Net Worth

Rs. 101 Crore (approx., as of 2019)

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hema Malini born?

16 October 1948

What is Hema Malini known for?

Actress & Politician

What is Hema Malini’s marital status?

Widow

Who is Hema Malini married to?

Dharmendra (actor) (m. 1980; until his death in 2025)

What is Hema Malini’s net worth?

Rs. 101 Crore (approx., as of 2019)