Amitabh Bachchan: Health, Net Worth, and Relationship Facts

Few actors have held India’s attention across six decades like Amitabh Bachchan. The man who rose from a string of flops to become Bollywood’s “Shahenshah” has also weathered serious health scares, public scrutiny of his personal life, and family controversies. Here’s a verified look at his health, relationships, finances, and the rumors that still follow him.

Age: 81 years (born 11 October 1942) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Net worth: USD 400 million (estimated) ·
Spouse: Jaya Bhaduri (m. 1973) ·
Children: Abhishek Bachchan, Shweta Nanda ·
First film: Saat Hindustani (1969)

Five key biographical facts, one pattern: Amitabh Bachchan’s life combines elite film stardom with a family history of creative prominence and documented health struggles.

What is Amitabh Bachchan diagnosed with?

The man who survived a near-fatal on-set accident decades ago also battled a rare autoimmune disease.

• According to the Times of India entertainment report, Amitabh Bachchan was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscular weakness, following his near-fatal injury on the set of Coolie in 1982. The condition reportedly left him unable to act for a time.
• In 2005, he underwent surgery for diverticulitis of the small intestine, as documented in a Scribd biographical compilation.
• In July 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19 and discharged in early August, according to Wikipedia.

The pattern: a single documented condition is often overshadowed by vague internet stories.

How much liver is damaged of Amitabh Bachchan?

No verified medical report quantifies specific liver damage. While some unconfirmed online sources mention hepatitis B, the only documented health conditions are myasthenia gravis, diverticulitis, and COVID-19. The exact percentage of liver damage remains unclear.

What is the current condition of Amitabh Bachchan’s liver?

Amitabh Bachchan has not publicly disclosed recent liver function results. He has stated in a 2018 Times of India interview that his body has recovered from many ailments, but explicit liver health data is not publicly available.

Why did Amitabh reject Rekha?

The most persistent rumor of his personal life — a rumored affair with actress Rekha — has never been confirmed by the actor himself.

• Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan were rumored to have had an affair in the 1970s during the filming of several movies. In a rare interview, Rekha acknowledged their closeness but said it was in the past.
• Amitabh Bachchan has never publicly confirmed the relationship. He has been married to Jaya Bhaduri since 1973 (Britannica).
• The relationship is widely believed to have ended because Amitabh chose his family over continuing the affair.

Why did Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan’s relationship come to an end?

According to entertainment media, the affair ended when Amitabh decided to stay with his wife and children. Neither party has given an official account. Given the absence of primary sources, this remains in the unclear category.

Who was Rekha in love with?

Rekha was reportedly in love with Amitabh Bachchan, but she has never named him explicitly in any authenticated interview. The actor has consistently avoided the topic.

Why didn’t Amitabh marry Rekha?

Because he was already married. Jaya Bhaduri is Amitabh’s only wife (m. 1973), and they have two children.

Who is Amitabh Bachchan’s first wife?

Unlike the rumors of affairs and first loves, this fact is rock-solid.

• Amitabh Bachchan’s first and only wife is Jaya Bhaduri, whom he married in 1973 (Britannica).
• Jaya is a former actress who appeared in films like Guddi and Zanjeer before focusing on family.
• They have two children: Shweta Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan (Britannica).

Who is Jaya Bhaduri?

Jaya Bhaduri is a former Bollywood actress and the wife of Amitabh Bachchan. She was a leading actress in the 1970s and later worked in television. Her marriage to Amitabh in 1973 made them one of India’s most famous couples (Britannica).

What is Jaya Bhaduri’s profession?

Jaya Bhaduri is an actress and social worker. She retired from acting after marriage but returned to films in the 2000s in supporting roles.

Who is richer, Shahrukh or Amitabh?

Two of Bollywood’s wealthiest actors, one clear gap. According to a 2026 analysis by Equentis financial analysis firm, Amitabh Bachchan’s net worth is about US$400 million. Shah Rukh Khan’s net worth is US$600 million, making him the richer of the two. Both earn from films, endorsements, and business ventures, but Shah Rukh has a larger portfolio of production companies and IPL team ownership.

The comparison reveals a clear financial hierarchy among Bollywood’s elite.

Who was Amitabh’s first love?

Another story that lives in the unconfirmed space, yet repeated so often it has become biographical lore.

• Early in his life, Amitabh reportedly had a relationship with Angela McDonald, a Scottish woman he met during his college days at the University of Delhi (Britannica – confirms his university attendance).
• Angela McDonald has never given an interview about the relationship. The details remain sparse and are largely based on uncited biographies.
• This relationship ended before Amitabh entered films, and he has rarely spoken about it.

What is known about Amitabh’s first love?

Very little. The story of Angela McDonald is mentioned in several biographical sketches but lacks a primary source. Given the absence of confirmation from either party, this is best categorized as unproven.

Who was Angela McDonald?

Angela McDonald was reportedly a Scottish student with whom Amitabh Bachchan had a brief relationship. No verifiable documents or interviews exist to confirm this.

What is Amitabh Bachchan’s net worth?

The numbers are impressive, but they come from estimates, not official disclosures.

• According to Equentis financial analysis firm, Amitabh Bachchan’s net worth is approximately US$400 million (Rs 3,600 crore as of 2026).
• His annual income is reported in the range of Rs 350 crore from film fees, brand endorsements (such as Cadbury, Dabur), and hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati (Equentis financial analysis firm).
• He is one of the highest-paid actors in India, commanding around ₹5–7 crore per film.

How does Amitabh Bachchan earn money?

Bachchan’s income streams include:

• Film acting – he still delivers box-office hits
• Brand endorsements – he has been a brand ambassador for dozens of companies including Barclays, Dabur, and Cadbury
• Television hosting – his role as host of Kaun Banega Crorepati since 2000 has been a steady revenue source
• Business ventures – he holds stakes in his son Abhishek’s production ventures and other investments

What is Amitabh Bachchan’s annual income?

Annual income is estimated at Rs 350 crore by Equentis financial analysis firm, though exact figures are private. His earnings place him among the top five earners in Bollywood.

Timeline

• 1982: Diagnosed with myasthenia gravis after the Coolie injury (Times of India entertainment report)
• 2000: Began hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati (Wikipedia)
• 2005: Hospitalized for diverticulitis surgery; recovered by 2006 (Scribd biographical compilation)
• 2020: Tested positive for COVID-19, hospitalized 11 July – discharged 2 August (Wikipedia)

Confirmed facts & what’s unclear

Quotes from those who know

“I have been very fortunate that my body has recovered from many ailments.”

– Amitabh Bachchan, in a 2018 interview with Times of India

“We were close, but it’s all in the past.”

– Rekha, in a rare interview (quoted by multiple entertainment publications; no primary source URL)

“His liver damage was moderate and he responded well to treatment.”

– Dr. Shankar Dhaka, in a video explaining Amitabh’s liver condition (source not verifiable via public link)

Note: The Rekha and Dr. Dhaka quotes are widely circulated but lack independently verifiable source URLs, so treat as secondary reports.

Summary

Amitabh Bachchan’s career is a story of resilience — from a near-fatal injury to a rare autoimmune disease, from financial bankruptcy to a $400 million fortune. Yet the public narrative is often distorted by unsourced rumors about his health and relationships. For anyone seeking the truth about Bollywood’s enduring icon, the key is to separate verified medical records and official financial disclosures from decades-old gossip. For fans, the implication is clear: enjoy his films, but treat health and relationship stories with the same skepticism you’d give a box-office rumour.

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