Mary Kom reveals suicidal thoughts on Bigg Boss 20, says children kept her alive
Synopsis
Behind the six World Championship titles and the Olympic medal, Mary Kom was once on the edge. Her Bigg Boss 20 revelation — that she had wanted to end her life but stayed for her young children — strips away the legend and reveals a human story of sacrifice, grief, and the will to survive that no trophy count could ever capture.
Key Takeaways
Mary Kom revealed on Bigg Boss 20 that she had contemplated ending her life during one of the darkest periods of her career.
She said her young children were the reason she chose to keep living: 'I am still alive for my children.
They were small.' The six-time World Amateur Boxing champion and Olympic medallist spoke about decades of sacrifice for her family, Manipur , and the nation.
Mary said she remains 'hungry' for more medals but can no longer compete due to being overage .
She and former husband Onler Kom are parents to four children .
Six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom made a deeply personal revelation on Bigg Boss 20, disclosing that she had contemplated ending her life during one of the darkest periods of her career, but chose to live for her young children. The Olympic medallist and Manipur-born sporting icon opened up about the emotional weight she has carried through years of sacrifice and competition.
What Mary Kom Said Inside the Bigg Boss 20 House
Speaking with fellow contestants Isha Rikhi, Rhiti Tiwari, and Kanika Mann, Mary spoke candidly about a period when her mental state had deteriorated despite her public image of strength and resilience. She acknowledged that behind the medals and records was a person who had felt completely shattered.
'I am very strong. But in that year, I lost a bit. I was broken. I had a lot to do,' she said. 'I wanted to end my life. That's what I was thinking. But I am still alive for my children. They were small,' she added.
The admission was one of the most candid moments in recent Indian sports history — a decorated champion acknowledging not just physical battles but a profound psychological crisis.
A Career Built on Sacrifice
Mary also reflected on a lifetime of hardship, sacrifice, and relentless ambition. She spoke of giving up much of her personal life for her family, her home state of Manipur, and the country.
'I have been through a lot since I was young. I have sacrificed for my family, for my state and for my nation. Who can fight like this? This is a challenge,' she said.
Despite her achievements — which include six World Championship titles and an Olympic medal — Mary spoke with characteristic hunger. 'I am a different athlete. I want to win more medals. One medal isn't enough. Two medals aren't enough. Three medals aren't enough. I am still hungry but can no longer participate because of overage,' she said.
Emotional Toll and the Weight of Tears
In another candid moment, Mary spoke about learning to suppress her emotions after years of grief and struggle. 'I have cried a lot. Now, slowly, I have to pull the tears inside,' she said.
This emotional weight, rarely visible in her public appearances, underscores the personal cost behind elite athletic achievement — a dimension that often goes unacknowledged in conversations about India's sporting legends.
Who Is Mary Kom
Mary Kom, born in Manipur, is widely regarded as India's greatest female boxer. A six-time World Amateur Boxing champion, she also clinched a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and has represented India across multiple international platforms over two decades. She and her former husband Onler Kom are parents to four children. Her story — from a small village in Manipur to global sporting recognition — remains one of Indian sport's most celebrated journeys.
Her willingness to speak publicly about mental health struggles is being seen as a significant moment, given how rarely elite Indian athletes address these battles openly. As the conversation around athlete mental health grows louder globally, Mary Kom's voice adds weight and credibility to the cause.
Point of View
But for what it says about the invisible burden carried by India's elite athletes — especially those from under-resourced states like Manipur who fight without institutional support systems. India celebrates its sporting icons primarily through medals; it rarely invests in their psychological wellbeing during or after their careers. The fact that a six-time world champion had to reach this nadir without any public acknowledgement of support is a structural failure, not just a personal one. Her willingness to speak on a reality television platform — rather than in a formal mental health advocacy setting — also says something about where athletes feel safe enough to be vulnerable.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mary Kom reveal on Bigg Boss 20?
Mary Kom disclosed on Bigg Boss 20 that she had contemplated suicide during one of the most difficult phases of her life, saying her young children were the reason she chose to keep living. She made the revelation during a candid conversation with fellow contestants Isha Rikhi, Rhiti Tiwari, and Kanika Mann.
Why did Mary Kom say she wanted to end her life?
Mary Kom said she had reached a point of feeling completely broken under the weight of everything she was carrying. She did not specify a single cause but spoke about the cumulative toll of years of sacrifice for her family, her state, and the nation, combined with feeling lost during a particular period.
Who are Mary Kom's children?
Mary Kom and her former husband Onler Kom are parents to four children. She cited her children — who were young at the time — as the primary reason she chose not to act on her suicidal thoughts.
What has Mary Kom achieved in boxing?
Mary Kom is a six-time World Amateur Boxing champion and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Hailing from Manipur, she is widely considered India's greatest female boxer and represented the country across multiple international competitions over two decades.
Why does Mary Kom say she can no longer compete?
Mary Kom said she is still hungry to win more medals but can no longer participate in elite competitions because of overage restrictions. Despite her desire to continue competing, age-based eligibility rules have effectively ended her active boxing career.
