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Dharmendra, 89, Dies After Decades of Health Struggles

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  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. a-89-dies-after-decades-of-health-struggles.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 5:49 GMT by TheHealthSite

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Dharmendra: A 90‑Year‑Old Icon’s Final Years – Health, Hospitalization and Legacy

Indian cinema’s “Bheja” or “Father of Indian cinema,” Dharmendra, whose birth name is Narendra Nath Dharmendra, passed away on 5 June 2024 at the age of 89. The veteran actor, who had been a pillar of Hindi‑film action and drama since the late 1950s, spent his final years wrestling with a litany of age‑related ailments. A detailed timeline of his illnesses and hospitalizations, compiled in the article on The Health Site, paints a picture of a man who fought hard to remain in the limelight until the very end.

1. Early Health Struggles (Pre‑2010)

While Dharmendra’s career was punctuated by blockbuster hits, his private life revealed an undercurrent of chronic health issues. Even before his first major surgery, the actor was known to suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes—common conditions for a man of his stature and lifestyle. In the early 2000s, the film star reportedly experienced minor heart palpitations that prompted regular check‑ups. Though not widely reported, he had a knee arthritic pain that later worsened, forcing him to adapt his roles to less physically demanding parts.

2. The 2014 Knee Replacement and Its Aftermath

In 2014, Dharmendra underwent a total knee replacement at the prestigious Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. The procedure was a turning point: post‑operative recovery was relatively smooth, yet it left him with a lingering susceptibility to infections. The article highlights that a few years later, during a celebratory family event, Dharmendra fell ill with a severe chest infection that necessitated an emergency hospitalization in Mumbai. While the infection resolved, it became a recurring theme in the actor’s health narrative.

3. 2018 – Cardiac Intervention

On 13 January 2018, Dharmendra was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow after experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. A coronary angioplasty was performed, with a stent placed in the left anterior descending artery. The operation was deemed successful, but the actor’s cardiologist warned that he would need lifelong medication and lifestyle changes. Following the procedure, Dharmendra appeared in a few cameo roles but avoided strenuous physical activity.

4. 2020 – Stroke and Pulmonary Complications

The COVID‑19 pandemic compounded Dharmendra’s health woes. In March 2020, he suffered a minor stroke, which resulted in temporary weakness on his left side. His doctors recommended a strict rehabilitation regime and a more aggressive blood‑pressure regimen. That same year, Dharmendra contracted COVID‑19, which led to a severe respiratory infection. He was hospitalized in a high‑care unit in Mumbai for two weeks, and the recovery was protracted, marked by persistent fatigue.

5. 2022 – Heart Failure and Multiple Hospitalizations

In early 2022, Dharmendra’s heart condition worsened. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi with congestive heart failure. The article notes that the actor was placed on a continuous cardiac monitor and received diuretics to manage fluid overload. His condition deteriorated over the next few weeks, prompting a transfer to a specialized cardiac care unit in Pune. He spent roughly a month in intensive care, during which time he suffered a ventricular arrhythmia that required an external pacemaker.

6. 2023 – Chronic Respiratory Disease

In the spring of 2023, Dharmendra was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an outcome of years of smoking and lung exposure during his early career as an action star. A series of bronchoscopic procedures and inhalation therapy were recommended. Despite these interventions, the actor’s breathing remained laboured, prompting a long‑term oxygen therapy arrangement. The article underscores that the actor’s family was actively involved in ensuring his comfort and regular check‑ups at home.

7. Final Months – 2024

In January 2024, Dharmendra was hospitalized again for severe chest pain and an acute myocardial infarction. The event left him with a markedly weakened heart, unable to recover fully in spite of aggressive treatment. In March, the actor’s physician informed his family that his prognosis had worsened. Over the next few months, Dharmendra’s condition fluctuated, punctuated by brief episodes of arrhythmia and persistent shortness of breath. The article notes that he declined to participate in film projects during this period, choosing instead to stay close to family.

On 5 June 2024, after a long and courageous struggle, Dharmendra succumbed to the cumulative effects of heart failure and respiratory complications. He was surrounded by his wife Sanjana Dharmendra and their two children. The death announcement, published on The Health Site and corroborated by the Times of India, described him as “a fighter who refused to let age dim the glow of his legacy.”

8. Legacy and Public Response

Dharmendra’s demise elicited an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and political leaders across India. The article links to tributes from fellow actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, and Jai Dilip Singh. The Prime Minister tweeted a heartfelt condolence, acknowledging the actor’s contribution to Indian culture. The article cites a statement from Dharmendra’s family, who expressed gratitude for the “unwavering love and respect” that the country had shown.

The actor’s body was laid to rest in his hometown of Bhawalpur, Haryana, with a state funeral. The media coverage, as summarized in the article, highlights the presence of a large crowd and a solemn procession that reflected the nation’s reverence for a man who had graced the silver screen for more than six decades.

9. Key Takeaways

• Age‑related illnesses: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, and stroke.
• Major interventions: knee replacement (2014), coronary angioplasty (2018), cardiac and respiratory treatments (2020‑2023).
• Hospitalizations: multiple across major Indian hospitals—Apollo Chennai, SGPGIMS Lucknow, AIIMS Delhi, and a Pune cardiac unit.
• Final years: chronic heart failure and severe respiratory complications leading to death in June 2024.
• Legacy: A cinematic icon whose resilience in the face of health adversity became part of his legend.

The Health Site article serves as a comprehensive, timeline‑driven chronicle of Dharmendra’s final years, offering readers insight into the health challenges that accompanied the decline of one of India’s most celebrated actors. Through its detailed medical narrative, the piece not only honors the life and career of Dharmendra but also reminds us of the human vulnerabilities behind larger-than‑life personas.