Boxing icon M C Mary Kom has spoken publicly for the first time about the personal turmoil she has faced over the past two years, describing a painful divorce, financial setbacks and emotional strain that pushed her to question the value of her achievements.

The six-time world champion and Olympic medallist told PTI that she chose to break her silence because the “slander has gone too far” on social media and in some news reports, which she says have reduced her struggles to a “mockery”.

“What’s the point of all that I achieved?” she wondered during a telephonic conversation from Ahmedabad, where she was attending an Indian Olympic Association event.

Marriage ends after two decades

Mary Kom confirmed that she and her husband, Onler, to whom she was married for more than 20 years, separated over two years ago – a development that stunned those close to the family.

“Yes, I am now separated from my husband Onler and it all happened more than two years ago,” she said, adding that the decision followed several attempts to resolve issues privately.

"Things were fine till I was competing and had very little involvement in my finances but when I got injured before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I realised I was living a lie.

The boxer said her injury before the 2022 Commonwealth Games became a turning point. During months of being bedridden and reliant on a walker, she says she realised that “the man I had trusted was not what I believed him to be.”

She informed both families before seeking a divorce, hoping the matter would remain quiet. But she alleges that repeated attempts to malign her forced her to finally respond.

Allegations of financial misconduct

Mary Kom accused Onler of mismanaging and mortgaging her properties, claiming she has been cheated of significant sums.

“He kept taking loans, mortgaging my property which he transferred in his name. He borrowed money from locals in Churachandpur and to recover it from him, they have seized the land through underground groups,” she alleged.

Onler denied any wrongdoing when contacted.

Slander, grief and the burden of responsibilities

The former Rajya Sabha member expressed distress at the narrative being pushed about her in some reports.

“…there are news reports that call me the greedy one, who forced him to contest elections (2022 in Manipur). I did not do any of it,” she said. “Things which were only discussed between me and him are being fed to tabloids to paint me as the villain and my character is being questioned.”

She said the relentless criticism left her feeling broken, but she “can’t even afford to grieve” because of her responsibilities.

“What is the point of my achievements? Kya fayda, I have been left broken but I can't even afford to grieve. Because I have four kids to take care of, parents who are dependent on me,” she added.

Despite the challenges, she reiterated she does not intend to pursue police action and simply wants the slander to stop. "I haven't and don't wish to take any police action, but just leave me alone, stop slandering me."

Rebuilding life and finances

Now based in Faridabad, the 43-year-old mother of four is focusing on reconstructing her financial stability through commercial engagements and brand endorsements.

“I work hard for my kids, God knows how difficult it has been but can you afford to stay down when you have children? You have to pick yourself up,” she said.

Mary Kom’s net worth has been pegged at roughly ₹33–42 crore for 2025, according to estimates published by Dainik Jagran, with some assessments placing the figure as high as ₹82 crore.

Her earnings stem from multiple sources, including brand endorsements, prize money accumulated over a long boxing career, appearance fees for public events and speaking engagements, government cash awards, and her share of revenue from the Bollywood biopic in which Priyanka Chopra portrayed her.

The boxing legend, known globally as ‘Magnificent Mary’, has long been celebrated for her resilience – from winning a world title months after a two-year maternity break to having her life portrayed in a 2013 biopic starring Priyanka Chopra.

Though she can no longer compete in the amateur circuit after crossing 40, Mary Kom said she continues to fight her battles with the same grit that defined her sporting career.

“But I fight on. My life is one long boxing bout it seems. But God is there, he will give me strength hopefully,” she quipped. (PTI)