Mary Kom (full name Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom) is India’s most decorated woman boxer: a six-time world champion and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist from Manipur. In 2026, she entered Bigg Boss 20 as the senior-most contestant of the season.
Mary Kom: Quick Facts
| Full name | Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom |
| Nickname | Magnificent Mary |
| Profession | Boxer, former Rajya Sabha MP |
| Date of birth | 1 March 1983 (also given as 24 November 1982) |
| Age | 43 years (2026) |
| Birthplace | Kangathei, Churachandpur, Manipur |
| Parents | Mangte Tonpa Kom (father), Mangte Akham Kom (mother) |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 2 in (158 cm) |
| Weight category | Flyweight / light flyweight (48–51 kg) |
| World titles | 6 (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018) |
| Olympic medal | Bronze, London 2012 |
| Asian Games | Gold, Incheon 2014 |
| Commonwealth Games | Gold, Gold Coast 2018 |
| Top honour | Padma Vibhushan (2020) |
| Ex-husband | Karung Onkholer (Onler Kom), divorced 2023 |
| Children | 4 |
| Biopic | Mary Kom (2014), starring Priyanka Chopra |
| Reality show | Bigg Boss 20 (2026) |
Mary Kom Age and Birthday
Mary Kom’s date of birth is most often given as 1 March 1983, while Wikipedia lists 24 November 1982. Either way, she is 43 years old in 2026, which makes her the oldest contestant in Bigg Boss 20.
Early Life and Family
Mary was born in Kangathei village in Churachandpur district, Manipur, to Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, who worked as farm labourers. She is the eldest of her siblings and helped her parents in the fields while going to school.
She was first drawn to athletics, then switched to boxing in 2000, inspired by Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh’s Asian Games gold in 1998. She trained in Imphal and won the state championship in her first year.
Mary Kom Boxing Career
World Championships
Mary won silver at the first Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2001. She then won gold in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and a record sixth title in 2018 in New Delhi. She is the only boxer, man or woman, with eight World Championship medals.
London 2012 Olympics
Women’s boxing made its Olympic debut in 2012. Mary moved up to the 51 kg flyweight class and won bronze, becoming the first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal.
Asian Games and Commonwealth Games
In 2014, she became the first Indian woman boxer to win gold at the Asian Games (Incheon). She added Commonwealth Games gold at Gold Coast in 2018.
Later Years
Mary competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she lost a close round-of-16 bout. In January 2024, she said she could no longer compete in elite amateur events because of the 40-year age limit, though she added that she still wanted to stay in the sport.
Medals and Awards
| Year | Award / Medal |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Arjuna Award |
| 2006 | Padma Shri |
| 2009 | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna |
| 2012 | Olympic bronze (London) |
| 2013 | Padma Bhushan |
| 2014 | Asian Games gold (Incheon) |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games gold, sixth world title |
| 2020 | Padma Vibhushan |
Politics and Other Work
- She was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2016 to 2022.
- She runs the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation in Imphal to train young boxers.
- Her autobiography, Unbreakable, was published in 2013.
- The Hindi film Mary Kom (2014), directed by Omung Kumar, starred Priyanka Chopra in the title role.
Mary Kom in Bigg Boss 20
Mary Kom entered Bigg Boss 20 on the premiere night, 6 September 2026, as the senior-most contestant. It is her first reality show. Priyanka Chopra sent a video message wishing her luck.
Before entering, she said she would “bring discipline in the house” and wanted everyone to wake up at the same time and share household work. In Week 4, she got the fewest votes and lost one of her two lifelines, so she has one lifeline left. See the latest status in our Bigg Boss 20 contestants list.
Mary Kom Husband and Children
Mary married footballer Karung Onkholer (Onler Kom) in 2005. In April 2025, her lawyer confirmed that the couple had divorced on 20 December 2023 by mutual consent under Kom customary law. Both later made allegations against each other in interviews; these are their own claims.
Mary has four children: twin sons Rechungvar and Khupneivar (born 2007), a son, Prince (born 2013), and a daughter, Merlin, whom the couple reportedly adopted in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mary Kom’s age?
Mary Kom is 43 years old in 2026. Her date of birth is commonly given as 1 March 1983, while Wikipedia lists 24 November 1982. She is the oldest contestant in Bigg Boss 20.
Who is Mary Kom’s husband?
Mary Kom was married to footballer Karung Onkholer (Onler Kom) from 2005. Her lawyer confirmed in April 2025 that they divorced on 20 December 2023 under Kom customary law.
How many children does Mary Kom have?
Mary Kom has four children: twin sons Rechungvar and Khupneivar (2007), son Prince (2013), and daughter Merlin, who was reportedly adopted in 2018.
How many medals has Mary Kom won?
Mary Kom has won eight World Championship medals (six gold, one silver, one bronze), an Olympic bronze (2012), Asian Games gold (2014) and Commonwealth Games gold (2018).
Who played Mary Kom in the movie?
Priyanka Chopra played Mary Kom in the 2014 biopic Mary Kom, directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Is Mary Kom in Bigg Boss 20?
Yes. Mary Kom entered Bigg Boss 20 on 6 September 2026. She lost one lifeline in Week 4 and is still in the house with one lifeline left.
