July 27, 2024

Milkha Singh Biography, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Facts, Caste, Wiki & More

Updated On : November 20, 2022

Short Biography

Milkha Singh (The Flying Sikh) was born on 20-11-1929 Govindpura, Muzaffargarh in the state of Punjab, Pakistan. He was an Indian Athlete, Sprinter, Army Officer, Writer & Author. 

Other Name: The Flying Sikh
Other Professions: Sprinter Army Officer Writer Author

Milkha Singh Complete Bio & Career

After being orphaned in his childhood following the events after the partition of India, he moved to Delhi. He was persuaded by his brother and sister to join the Indian Army service. Milkha Singh was successful in his fourth attempt and gained entrance in the year 1951. During his stay at the Electrical Mechanical Engineering Center, he found an interest in athletics. During his selection into the army, he had run over 10km and was picked up by the service for athletic training. 
 
He represented the country at the 1956 Olympic Games Melbourne in 200m and 400m events. Later in 1958, he set records at the National Games of India 200m and 400m. Further, at Asian Games, he won the gold medal for 200m and 400m sprint events. He also bagged a gold medal in the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in the 400m event where he finished within 46.6 seconds. He also emerged as the first-ever Indian to win a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. 
 
He acquired his popular nickname ‘The Flying Sikh’ during his race in 1960. In the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games, he won Gold in the 400m event. Some reports suggest that Milkha Singh won 77 out of 80 races. 
 
After his success in 1958, he was promoted to a junior commissioned officer. Further, in 1998, he was appointed as the Director of Sports by the Punjab Ministry of Education. He was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the Government of India. He was offered the Arjuna Award, but he turned down the offer.
 
In 2013, his biological film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" was launched by director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra with starar Farhan Akhtar plays Milka Singh role.

Milkha Singh Popular Videos

Honours & Awards

AWARD NAME AWARD CATEGORY RECEIPT YEAR RECEIPT FIELD
Padma Shri Civilian Award 1959 Sports

Health Issues, Illness and Death Info

He was suffering from complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). When he caught by pneumonia, he admitted on 24-05-2021 to Fortis Hospital in Mohali. His health condition had stabilized. On 13-06-2021, his wife Nirmal Saini died of COVID-19 who was also undergoing treatment at the same hospital. He was shifted to PGIMER, Chandigarh. But after five days of his wife's death i.e. 18-06-2021 (Friday) around 11:30 PM, he took his last breath in PGIMER, Chandigarh. He was 91 years old.

DEATHDAY 18 June,2021 (Tuesday)
DEATH PLACE Chandigarh
DEATH COUNTRY India

Milkha Singh Family, Relatives and Other Relations

He was born into a Sikh Rathore family. He had a total number of fifteen siblings. He was married to a former Indian Volleyball player Nirmal Kaur Saini in 1962. The couple together has three daughters and a son named Jeev Milkha Singh, who is a golfer. His son Vikram Singh (Havildar) who was adopted by him in 1999 has died in the "Battle of Tiger Hill".

Life's Important Dates Of Milkha Singh

Body Measurements

Skin Colour Wheatish
Eye Colour Black
Hair Colour Black

Personal Info

Home Town Chandigarh
Nationality Indian
Religion Sikhism
Address Chandigarh, India
School A Government School in his Village
College N/A
Qualification 5th STD
Marital Status Married
Debut Melbourne Olympic Games (1956)
Best Movies Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Salary N/A
Net Worth N/A
Official Website N/A

Favourites

Favorite Color Black
Favorite Politician Jawaharlal Nehru
Favorite Dress Suits

Shocking / Interesting Facts & Secrets About Milkha Singh

  • He released his autobiography titled, ‘The Race of My Life’ in 2013.
  • He sold his biographical movie ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ rights for one rupee and had half of the movie’s profit given to Milkha Singh Charitable Trust.
  • He donated all of his medals to the nation, which are on display at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
  • Milkha Singh also donated a pair of shoes that he had worn during his race at the 1960 Olympics for a charity.
  • He adopted a 7-year-old boy of a soldier who died during the Battle of Tiger Hill.
  • His wax statue is unveiled at Chandigarh which was created the sculptors of London's Madame Tussauds in September 2017.

Milkha Singh Age, Birthday Facts and Birthday Countdown

Milkha Singh was 85 years 6 months & 28 days old age.