Madhubala's Heartbreaking Words: "I Won't Survive, Don't Waste Money"
Madhubala refused treatment costs in her final days, telling her sister she wouldn't survive the illness.
Legendary Bollywood actress Madhubala would have turned 93 today, prompting renewed reflection on the personal struggles she endured behind her luminous screen presence. The star, widely celebrated for her beauty and performances, died on February 23, 1969, at the age of 36 after battling a serious congenital heart condition.
According to family accounts, Madhubala suffered from a ventricular septal defect, a condition that severely affected her health and emotional well-being in her later years. The illness gradually weakened her, leading to dramatic weight loss and increasing isolation. Despite her fame, those close to her recall that her final years were marked by physical pain and emotional distress.
Her sister, Madhur Bhushan, once shared poignant memories of the actress’s declining condition in an interview with Filmfare. She revealed that Madhubala had become extremely frail and avoided meeting visitors, often distressed by her own reflection. The actress reportedly feared that comments about her appearance would deepen her emotional suffering.
Also Read: Ranveer Singh, Rohit Shetty Named in Fresh Extortion Threats Linked to Bishnoi Gang
Bhushan also recounted Madhubala’s strong sense of independence even during illness. The actress reportedly insisted on managing daily activities herself despite severe breathlessness, for which an oxygen cylinder was kept nearby. In a heartbreaking remark remembered by her sister, Madhubala allegedly urged her family not to spend excessively on her treatment, expressing doubt about her survival.
The actress’s health troubles were first discovered during the shooting of Bahut Din Huye (1954), when she reportedly coughed up blood. Though diagnosed soon after, she continued working on demanding projects, including the epic Mughal-E-Azam (1960), even as her condition worsened. Her legacy, however, remains firmly intact in Indian cinema history.
In later years, Madhubala’s enduring popularity was reflected when a wax statue of the actress was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in New Delhi in 2017. At the event, Madhur Bhushan had expressed hope that, if a biopic were ever made on her sister’s life, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan would be an ideal choice to portray the iconic star.
Also Read: Veteran Kannada Filmmaker Joe Simon Dies at 80 Following Cardiac Arrest in Bengaluru
