In a candid conversation on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Nick Jonas reflected on the harrowing experience surrounding the birth of his daughter, Malti Marie, detailing the intense medical challenges she faced after arriving three months early. The singer and his wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, welcomed their daughter via surrogate in January 2022, a moment that quickly turned into a fight for survival.
A Rollercoaster Arrival
Jonas recounted the urgency that surrounded Malti’s birth. Initially expected in April, the couple received an unexpected call that their daughter would arrive much sooner. “We went into action,” he shared, describing the frantic rush to the hospital. When Malti was born, she weighed just 1 pound and 11 ounces and was in dire condition. “She came out… purple,” he recalled, underscoring the gravity of the moment.
Upon her arrival, Malti required immediate medical attention. “These angels at the NICU resuscitated her in that moment,” Jonas said, praising the dedicated staff who attended to his daughter. In a poignant illustration of the uncertainty they faced, he stated that she was intubated almost immediately, highlighting the critical care she received.
Life in the NICU
Malti spent over three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a period marked by emotional highs and lows for her parents. The couple was only allowed to visit her in line with the prevailing COVID-19 protocols, which meant long hours spent navigating the complex emotions of hope and fear. “It was both comforting and frightening to be there every day,” Jonas reflected, noting the bittersweet atmosphere as he witnessed other families enduring similar trials.
During her stay, Malti underwent six blood transfusions as she gradually began to gain strength and weight. “Every day is a gift,” Jonas expressed, suggesting that the experience has profoundly shaped their family’s perspective. “You can actually feel it in her in the way that she behaves and how exciting everything is,” he added, conveying a sense of gratitude for their daughter’s resilience.
Priyanka’s Experience
Priyanka Chopra Jonas previously shared her own emotional experience during Malti’s birth in a 2023 interview with British Vogue. She remembered being in the operating room when her daughter was born, describing her as “so small, smaller than my hand.” The actress praised the intensive-care nurses, referring to their work as “God’s work.” Reflecting on the uncertainty of the situation, she admitted, “I didn’t know if she would make it or not.”
This shared ordeal has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on both parents, shaping their relationship with their daughter and each other.
Why it Matters
The Jonas family’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the critical role healthcare professionals play in the survival of premature infants. Their story sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges faced by families with newborns in similar circumstances, fostering empathy and awareness in society. As they navigate parenthood, Nick and Priyanka continue to advocate for the vital importance of neonatal care, inspiring others to appreciate the strength found in vulnerability.