Hema Malini Gives Her First Statement After Husband Dharmendra’s Death, Shares Sweet Unseen Moments

The Bollywood fraternity is reeling from the loss of Dharmendra, the iconic “He-Man” of Hindi cinema, who died on Monday, November 24, at age 89 in his Juhu home. Speculation over his declining health had intensified in recent days, culminating in the sight of an ambulance and security detail outside his residence. Confirmation of his death soon followed, drawing a constellation of stars to the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai for a subdued farewell. Among the attendees were heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, underscoring the veteran’s indelible mark on the industry.

For days, the Deol family maintained a veil of privacy amid the grief. That changed when Hema Malini, Dharmendra’s devoted wife and frequent on-screen partner, broke her silence with a poignant social media tribute. Accompanying her words were rare, intimate photographs from their private collection, offering a window into their decades-long companionship.

In her moving message, Hema Malini reflected on the profound layers of their relationship. “Dharam ji❤️ He was many things to me. Loving Husband, adoring Father of our two girls, Esha & Ahaana, Friend, Philosopher, Guide, Poet, my ‘go to’ person in all times of need — in fact, he was everything to me! And always has been through good times and bad. He endeared himself to all my family members with his easy, friendly ways, always showing affection and interest in all of them,” she wrote.

She continued, praising his stature in the public eye: “As a public personality, his talent, his humility in spite of his popularity, and his universal appeal set him apart as a unique icon unequalled among all the legends. His enduring fame and achievements in the film industry will last forever.”

The void left behind weighs heavily on her, as she confided: “My personal loss is indescribable and the vacuum created is something that will last through the rest of my life.😢 After years of togetherness, I am left with myriad memories to relive the many special moments…”

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The accompanying images evoke warmth and nostalgia. One captures the couple at a wedding, beaming with joy; another depicts a lively family gathering around a birthday cake; and a standout snapshot from their youth shows Dharmendra gazing tenderly at Hema Malini. “Some memorable moments…,” she captioned one, while another read, “Togetherness over the years — always there for us. Some special moments…”

Dharmendra’s health had faltered in his final week, leading to a stay at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. Sources indicated he required ventilator assistance, rallying family members including sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, daughter Esha Deol, and Hema Malini for bedside vigils. Well-wishers from the industry, such as Shah Rukh Khan with son Aryan Khan and Salman Khan, made visits in a show of solidarity before the end.

As tributes pour in, Hema Malini’s words serve as a testament to a love story that transcended the silver screen, leaving an enduring legacy for fans and family alike.