✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › M. K. Stalin

M. K. Stalin biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

M. K. Stalin Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1 March 1953

Age72 Years

BirthplaceMadras, Madras State (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India

ProfessionPolitician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseDurga Stalin

FamilySon - Udhayanidhi Stalin; Daughter - Senthamarai Stalin; Father - M. Karunanidhi; Mother - Dayalu Ammal; Siblings - M. K. Muthu, M. K. Alagiri, M. K. Tamilarasu, Selvi, Kanimozhi

M. K. Stalin Biography

Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is an Indian politician who has led a long public life in Tamil Nadu politics, rising from youth activism to become the state's

Early life and background
Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin was born on 1 March 1953 in Madras (now Chennai), in the Madras State of India. He grew up in a prominent political family; his father was M. Karunanidhi and his mother Dayalu Ammal. He attended Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School and later studied at Presidency College, Chennai, completing his graduate studies. From a young age Stalin was involved in political activity — he campaigned for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at age 14.

Career
Stalin’s public and political career spans several decades and a variety of roles. He became active within DMK’s organizational structure early on, gaining election to the party’s General Committee in 1973. His electoral career began with contests for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Thousand Lights constituency; he stood there in multiple elections through the 1980s and 1990s, recording both defeats and victories. In 1996 he won the Thousand Lights seat and that period also saw him serve as the Mayor of Chennai from 1996 to 2002.

Across subsequent elections he continued to represent constituencies in the Chennai area. He won again from Thousand Lights in 2001 and 2006, and later shifted to contest from Kolathur, winning that seat in 2011, 2016, and 2021. In 2006 he served as Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development. In 2008 he was elected Treasurer of the DMK, and from 2009 to 2011 he served as the first Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

In 2013 his position within the party was publicly acknowledged when the party leader declared him the future heir. After a long period of party leadership and legislative service, following the 2021 state assembly elections he took the oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 7 May 2021.

Outside of electoral politics, Stalin has had a presence in film. He worked as a film producer and actor in Tamil cinema, producing Nambikkai Natchathram (1978) and acting in Ore Raththam (1988). His public life has included involvement with the DMK youth wing, where he served as Secretary and helped expand its reach.

Public profile
Stalin is identified with the DMK and with the Dravidian political movement in Tamil Nadu. He is known for a long record of public service in municipal and state government. His personal interests include watching films, listening to music and travelling. He follows Hinduism, belongs to the Isai Vellalar community, and is a non-vegetarian. Physical details listed in public profiles include a height of approximately 173 cm (about 5'8") and a weight around 75 kg (165 lbs).

Throughout his career Stalin has faced legal and political controversies noted in public records, including detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency period in 1975 and charges connected to other political matters that have appeared in media reports. His party leadership has at times been tested by internal and public disputes over ministerial appointments and other high-profile issues.

Personal life and family
Stalin married Durga on 20 October 1975. The couple have two children: a son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is active in the Tamil film industry as an actor and producer, and a daughter, Senthamarai Stalin. His siblings include M. K. Muthu, M. K. Alagiri, M. K. Tamilarasu, Selvi and Kanimozhi.

Latest updates
After the death of his father on 7 August 2018, Stalin was involved in public and legal actions regarding his father’s final rites. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections he secured a third consecutive victory from Kolathur and was sworn in as Chief Minister on 7 May 2021. Recent political developments noted in public reports include debate and dispute over the status of ministers in his cabinet, reflecting ongoing tensions between the state government and constitutional offices.
◈

Recent Work

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Took oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 7 May 2021 after winning the Kolathur assembly seat in 2021.

2021
Acting role in Ore Raththam

Appeared as an actor in the Tamil film Ore Raththam.

1988
Producer of Nambikkai Natchathram

Produced the Tamil film Nambikkai Natchathram.

1978
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Campaigned for DMK at age 14 in 1967
  2. Elected to DMK General Committee in 1973
  3. Mayor of Chennai (1996–2002)
  4. Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development (2006)
  5. First Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2009–2011)
  6. Elected Treasurer of DMK (2008)
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was M. K. Stalin born?

1 March 1953

What is M. K. Stalin known for?

Politician

What is M. K. Stalin’s marital status?

Married

Who is M. K. Stalin married to?

Durga Stalin