Nick Jonas opens up about his daughter’s terrifying premature birth and long fight for life

4 February 2026

Nick Jonas has shared for the first time the deeply emotional story behind the premature birth of his daughter Malti Marie, revealing a harrowing chapter in his and wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s lives that began nearly four years ago and left a lasting imprint on his heart and family life. The singer spoke candidly about the experience on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, describing how doctors alerted the couple they would be welcoming their daughter three months earlier than expected and how that sudden shift changed everything for them as parents. What followed was a journey marked by fear, resilience and profound gratitude for the tiny life they fought so hard to protect and ultimately bring home.

Jonas, 33, recalled how life changed in an instant when he and Chopra Jonas, 43, got the unexpected call about Malti’s imminent arrival back in January 2022. They had been preparing for her to arrive in April of that year when a doctor informed them she was coming sooner under very intense circumstances. The singer remembers rushing to the hospital with his wife, unsure what to expect but deeply aware that their world was about to be transformed.

When Malti entered the world at just 25 weeks gestation, she weighed only one pound, 11 ounces and was described by Jonas as “purple,” a stark image that contrasts sharply with the healthy toddler she is today. Immediate and skilled intervention by neonatal intensive care specialists was crucial, with the medical team rushing to resuscitate her right after birth. That moment was both alarming and awe-inspiring for her parents, who realized just how fragile their daughter’s early days would be.

Because Malti was born at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family faced additional challenges. Hospital protocols were strict, meaning Jonas and Chopra Jonas took shifts of up to 12 hours at a time at her side in the NICU for roughly three and a half months. During those long days, Nick said he became forever attuned to the sensory details of the unit from the smell of sanitizers to the comforting yet frightening routine of checking on their tiny daughter’s progress and witnessing other families undergoing similar struggles.

While Malti’s early days were marked by uncertainty, the couple found strength in the moments of steady improvement. Over those grueling weeks, Malti underwent six blood transfusions as she slowly gained weight and strength under the vigilant care of the NICU staff. Jonas spoke with profound appreciation for the nurses and doctors, referring to them as “angels” whose tireless efforts helped save their daughter’s life and give her a fighting chance when her future once seemed so tenuous.

The emotional toll on Jonas and Chopra Jonas was immense, but so too was the unwavering devotion they felt for their daughter. Jonas described the experience as both comforting and frightening, an intense blend of fear and hope that only parents in similar circumstances truly understand. He said that the memory of those early weeks stays with him, a visceral reminder of how far Malti has come and how precious every day with her truly is.

Today, Malti is thriving at four years old, a testament to not only her resilience but the love and care she received from the very start. Jonas has said that he believes she carries an innate understanding of her remarkable journey into the world, expressing that every day with her feels like a gift and that her joyful presence continues to astonish him and Chopra Jonas.

This is the first time Jonas has gone into full public detail about the traumatic circumstances surrounding Malti’s premature birth. While the couple initially kept their surrogacy journey private, opting not to share faces or details of their daughter for years, Jonas’s reflections on the podcast have offered a rare, intimate glimpse into the emotional complexity of becoming parents under extraordinary conditions.

The story also brings to light the immense physical and emotional challenges faced by families of premature infants, particularly during a global pandemic. For Jonas and Chopra Jonas, it was a period defined by long days, emotional strain and the constant balancing of hope and fear. But it was also a period that bonded them more deeply as a family, reinforcing their appreciation for life’s fragile beauty and the community of caregivers who supported them.

In discussing Malti’s early days, Jonas has underscored not only the frightening start she had but also the enduring joy she has brought into their lives. He has spoken of her as “magic” and a daily reminder of resilience, a source of wonder and love that has enriched their lives immeasurably. As he reflected on that chapter of parenthood, it was clear that the experience, while traumatic, has left an imprint of gratitude that continues to shape how they view family and the simple, cherished moments they now share.