Dharmendra Death – Bollywood icon Dharmendra passed away on 24 November 2025 at the age of 89, leaving the entire Deol family shattered. His wife, veteran actress Hema Malini, was seen arriving at the funeral in a white suit, deeply emotional as she bid her final goodbye. While the entire film industry mourns the loss, one central question has once again taken centre stage—will Hema Malini get a share in Dharmendra’s property or pension?
Was Hema Malini Legally Eligible for Dharmendra’s Property?
The question has been widely discussed ever since Dharmendra’s demise. Even though he lived with Hema Malini for decades, legally, the situation is complicated.
Dharmendra married his first wife, Prakash Kaur, in 1954. Years later, he married Hema Malini without divorcing Prakash. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, a second marriage cannot be considered valid if the first marriage is still legally active. For this reason, Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s marriage is not considered legally valid in the eyes of the law.
Due to this legal technicality, Hema Malini has no legal claim over Dharmendra’s property or pension benefits.
Who Inherits Dharmendra’s Wealth Now?
According to legal norms, Dharmendra’s estate goes to his first legally recognised spouse and all of his children. Dharmendra had four children with Prakash Kaur and two daughters with Hema Malini, making a total of six children.
Since the law recognises all six children as legal heirs, Dharmendra’s entire property is expected to be divided equally among them.
Reports over the years have estimated Dharmendra’s net worth at around ₹450 crore, though the family has never officially confirmed these numbers.
Why Dharmendra Converted His Religion Before Marrying Hema Malini?
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in an arranged marriage. But as his relationship with Hema Malini grew stronger, he wanted to marry her as well. According to several old reports, Dharmendra converted to Islam in 1980 so that he could legally marry Hema without divorcing his first wife, who reportedly refused to grant him a divorce.
While the personal choices of the legendary actor remained a topic of controversy for decades, the legal situation today stems entirely from the fact that his first marriage remained valid.
