Actor Priyanka Chopra has spoken candidly about the emotionally overwhelming experience following the premature birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, who was born via surrogate in January 2022. In a recent conversation on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, she described the 110-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as one of the toughest phases of her life.
Malti was born at just 27 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priyanka recalled feeling numb and overwhelmed when she learned of the early delivery. She and her husband, singer Nick Jonas, rushed to the hospital, where their daughter required intensive medical care.
Describing the fragile state of her newborn, Priyanka said the images from those first moments remain etched in her memory. Malti stayed in the NICU for nearly three months, during which the couple paused all professional commitments to be by her side daily. Due to hospital restrictions, only one parent was allowed at a time.
The actor revealed that the couple felt pressured to publicly announce their daughter’s birth after media outlets threatened to break the news. “We wanted to hold onto our own narrative,” she said, explaining they were not emotionally ready amid the uncertainty surrounding Malti’s health.
To comfort their daughter, Nick sang to her while Priyanka softly played spiritual mantras, including the Mahamrityunjay and Gayatri mantras, near her crib. Malti reportedly underwent multiple blood transfusions during her treatment.
Reflecting on the experience, Priyanka said motherhood shifted her perspective. Despite her fears, she felt compelled to stay strong for her child. “I didn’t have the privilege of being afraid. I had to show up as her mom,” she shared, calling Malti their “miracle baby.”
From Shock to Strength: Priyanka Chopra Shares Motherhood Struggles
