It was traumatic’: Priyanka Chopra opens up on Malti’s birth
Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has spoken candidly about the challenging days following the premature birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas.
Appearing on the recent Podcast, Priyanka described the experience as a “personally traumatic time,” recalling the emotional strain she and husband Nick Jonas faced while their newborn was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Priyanka shared that the first days were filled with uncertainty and helplessness as they navigated hospital protocols.
“We went with her to the NICU. One of us was allowed at a time, and she cried the first time. It was like a cat,” she recalled.
“My mom and in-laws flew down but we were in the hospital. It was such a personally traumatic time.”
She further revealed that the couple was forced to announce Malti’s birth earlier than planned after a leak to the media.
“We got a text saying that her birth is going to be put out by the papers in three hours. So, we were kind of forced into announcing her birth. We wanted to hold onto our own narrative; we weren’t ready because we didn’t know what would happen with her,” Priyanka said.
For nearly three months, Priyanka and Nick paused all professional commitments to remain by their daughter’s side.
Priyanka shared how they tried to provide comfort during her NICU stay: “Nick would sing to her on his guitar. I used to have a little iPod which played my mantras, my Mahamrityunjay Mantra, my Gayatri Mantra, my Om Namah Shivaya mantra, all softly inside her crib.
There were a lot of people praying for her. She was very very desired, very coveted and treasured. It was so hard, her journey to get to this planet was not easy.”
Priyanka and Nick married in 2018 in Rajasthan, celebrating both Hindu and Christian traditions. The couple welcomed Malti in January 2022 and have largely maintained privacy around their daughter’s life, occasionally sharing glimpses on social media.