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Milkha Singh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth20 November 1929 (records), other records show 17 Oct/20 Nov 1935

Age91 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceGovindpuri, Muzaffargarh, Punjab Province, British India (now in Pakistan)

ProfessionAthlete

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidower

SpouseNirmal Kaur (died June 2021)

FamilyChildren include son Jeev Milkha Singh and daughter Sonia Sanwalka

Milkha Singh Biography

Milkha Singh, popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh', was an Indian track and field athlete whose career spanned the 1950s and 1960s. He won multiple Asian,

Early life and background
Milkha Singh was born in Govindpuri, Muzaffargarh (then in British India and now in present-day Pakistan). Records list several possible birth dates, including 20 November 1929 and dates in October and November 1935. He grew up in a large family and attended a village school only up to the fifth standard. Milkha’s early years were marked by the violence and upheaval of Partition; he lost family members during that period and spent time seeking safety and work before eventually relocating to India.

After reaching India, Milkha experienced hard work and instability. For a time he polished shoes and took odd jobs to survive, and he later worked briefly in a rubber factory. Repeated attempts to join the Indian Army initially failed, but he secured a posting in 1952 and was later stationed with the EME (Electrical Mechanical Engineering) unit.

Career
Milkha discovered running while in the army. He ran his first 400-metre race in a brigade meet and, with practice and dedication, rose rapidly through the ranks of Indian athletics. He made his international debut at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

The late 1950s and early 1960s were the high point of his competitive career. In 1958 he won gold medals at both the Asian Games (200 m and 400 m) and the Commonwealth Games (440 yards). That same year he was promoted within the army and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1959. He added further Asian Games golds in 1962, including a win as part of India’s 4 x 400 m relay team.

Milkha represented India at multiple Olympic Games. At the 1960 Rome Olympics he finished fourth in the 400 m final, missing a bronze medal by a narrow margin — a result he reflected on for years. He also competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His performances and distinctive presence on the track earned him the sobriquet “Flying Sikh,” a name reportedly conferred during a meet in Pakistan after he defeated the nation’s champion in the 200 m.

After athletics
In the 1960s Milkha left the army to join the Punjab Department of Sports as Deputy Director. He remained a prominent figure in Indian sport and took an active interest in its administration and legacy. He donated his medals to the nation; they were displayed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi before being moved to a museum in Patiala. In 2012 he also donated the Adidas shoes he had worn in the 1960 Olympic final to a charity auction.

Public profile
Milkha’s life story reached wider audiences through his autobiography, co-written with his daughter, Sonia Sanwalka, titled The Race of My Life. He sold the film rights of his life story to filmmaker Rakesh Omprakash Mehra; the resulting biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), brought renewed attention to his achievements.

He received honours and recognition during and after his athletic career; among them, the Padma Shri awarded in 1959. Milkha declined an Arjuna Award when it was offered in 2001, indicating he felt it was not commensurate with the Padma Shri he had already received.

Personal life
Milkha married Nirmal Kaur, a former captain of the Indian women’s volleyball team, in 1962. The couple had children, including a son, Jeev Milkha Singh, who became a professional golfer, and a daughter, Sonia Sanwalka. Nirmal Kaur died in June 2021.

Milkha lived in Chandigarh in later years. Physical details recorded during his life list his height at about 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) and weight around 70 kg. He maintained sporting interests such as golf and regular exercise.

Latest updates
Milkha Singh passed away on 18 June 2021 at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Reports listed COVID-19 as the cause of death. He was 91 years old at the time of his death according to the age reported in the available records.

Legacy
Milkha’s competitive achievements, his Padma Shri honour, and his decision to donate his medals secured his place in India’s sporting memory. The 2013 film based on his life and the continued references to his performances keep his story in public view.

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 Milkha Singh, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

The Race of My Life (autobiography, co-written)

Autobiography co-written with his daughter Sonia Sanwalka, published in 2013.

2013
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (film adaptation of his biography)

Film based on his life produced and directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, released in 2013.

2013
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Career Highlights

  1. International debut at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
  2. Gold medals at the 1958 Asian Games (200 m and 400 m)
  3. Gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games (440 yards)
  4. Padma Shri recipient (1959)
  5. Gold medals at the 1962 Asian Games (400 m and 4 x 400 m relay)
  6. Fourth place in the 400 m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Milkha Singh born?

Milkha Singh was born on 20 November 1929 (records), other records show 17 Oct/20 Nov 1935.

What is Milkha Singh known for?

Milkha Singh is known for athlete.

What is Milkha Singh’s marital status?

Milkha Singh's marital status is listed as Widower.

Who is Milkha Singh married to?

Milkha Singh is publicly listed as married to Nirmal Kaur (died June 2021).