Silloo Manekshaw is the wife of Sam Manekshaw, who was the first Field Marshal of the Indian Army. She is known to have a big contribution to Sam’s life, which we discussed in the blog below. Silloo is an artist and a painter by profession and gives a lot to society. There is even a film made on Sam Bahadur and Silloo’s life, where Sanya Malhotra played her character and Vicky Kaushal played Sam. In this blog, we are going to learn about Silloo Manekshaw’s death and its reason, her legacy, her husband and more.
Who Is Silloo Manekshaw?
Silloo Manekshaw is the wife of Sam Manekshaw, who was the first Army Chief promoted to the rank of Field Marshall. She was born in the year 1911 in Amritsar, Punjab. Silloo was a talented painter and humanitarian. Her real name was Silloo Bode before she got married to Sam Manekshaw. She was a talented artist, a dedicated social worker, and a pillar of strength who played a vital role in Sam’s life. Her life, marked by creativity, compassion, and resilience, is a story of quiet yet profound impact.
Attributes | Details |
Full Name | Silloo Manekshaw (Silloo Bode) |
Date Of Birth | 1911 |
Age at Death | 90 years |
Date of Death | 13th February 2001 |
Cause of death | Lung Cancer |
Husband | Sam Manekshaw |
Children | 2; Maja Daruwala and Sherry Batliwala |
Silloo Manekshaw Age
Silloo Manekshaw was born in the year 1911; however, the actual date of birth is not mentioned on the internet as of now. So, according to it, the age of Silloo Manekshaw was 90 years old when she died.
Silloo Manekshaw’s Early Life And Education
Silloo Manekshaw had a very lovely childhood, as mentioned in some sources. However, her family details are not mentioned on the internet as of now. Since childhood, she has been interested in painting, which ultimately became her passion and profession.
She completed her schooling at Elphinstone College, Mumbai. Then she pursued higher studies at J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. There she honed her skills as a painter. She was always good at her studies and interested in painting and artistry.
Silloo Manekshaw Love Story Sam Manekshaw

Silloo Manekshaw was married to Sam Manekshaw, who was the first Army Chief in India. They met at an event held in Lahore. She was there visiting her sister. They got connected instantly after the first meeting. After some time, the couple got married on April 22, 1939, in Bombay.
According to the sources, she had a very important role in Sam’s life as his wife. As per Sam, she was his greatest supporter and critic as well. According to their daughter, Silloo always reminds her father, Sam Manekshaw.
About Sam Manekshaw (Sam Bahadur)

Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was one of India’s greatest leaders. He is also known as Sam Bahadur was the first Indian Army Officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. His career spanned over four decades and included service in World War II. As an Army officer, Sam played a significant role in India’s post-Independence military operations. His operations include the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistan War. Manekshaw was always known for his courage, discipline, and ability to stand up to political interference while maintaining a strong civil-military relationship.
For his contribution to the Indian Army, he was awarded with prestigious honours such as Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972. He retired from the Indian Army in the year 1973 but remained an iconic figure in the Indian Army. He died in 2008 at the age of 94 due to a health-related reason.
Children Of Sam Manekshaw

Silloo Manekshaw and Sam Manekshaw had two daughters. The names of her daughters are Sherry and Maya, who later became known as Maja. Let’s have a look at some details.
- Sherry Manekshaw: Sherry Manekshaw, who is also known as Sherry Batliwala after marriage, is the older daughter of Sam Manekshaw and Silloo Manekshaw. She was born on January 11th, 1940, right after one year of their marriage in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. She had built a successful career in the Travel and hospitality sector. She had also worked in Air India and later became the Regional Manager at Mercury Travels in Bangalore.
- Maya Manekshaw: Maya Manekshaw, who is also known as Maja Daruwala, is the younger daughter of Sam and Silloo Manekshaw. She was born on September 24th, 1945, in Coonoor. Maya is a well-known Indian advocate and human rights activist. She began her career as a stewardess with British Airways before transitioning into Law and Social Activism.
Silloo Manekshaw’s Death And Its Reason
Silloo Manekshaw, aka Silloo Bode, the wife of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, passed away on 13th February 2001. She died in 2001 at the age of 90. The main cause of her death is Lung Cancer. This shows that she could not fight this deadly disease. However, Sam Manekshaw died in 2008 when he was 94 years old.
Legacy Of Silloo Manekshaw
- Silloo Manekshaw’s legacy is marked by her remarkable contribution as an artist, social worker, and compassionate humanitarian.
- She has established and managed a charitable clinic in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. There she served the poor and elderly People.
- She has been actively raising funds for charity by directing theatre plays and selling her paintings.
- Along with all, she has designed and decorated the family bungalow named “Stavka” in Coonoor.
- She was a strong community leader and humanitarian who was well respected by villagers and Army Personnel.
- Over the period of time, she played a crucial role in supporting her husband’s military career and for her family.
Conclusion
Silloo Manekshaw’s life was filled with challenges, struggles, and strength. She has a great role in Sam Manekshaw’s life, who is her husband. She had a great legacy as an artist and philanthropist. Over the period of time, she has contributed a lot to society by opening a clinic for old-age people in Coonoor. As an artist, she brought beauty into the world; as a humanitarian, she uplifted the lives of the underprivileged; and as a wife and mother, she provided a foundation of love and stability for her family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Silloo Bode was another name for Silloo Manekshaw, and she was the wife of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
She has two daughters, and their names are Sherry Batliwala and Maja Daruwala.
Silloo Manekshaw was the wife of Sam Manekshaw.
One of the famous lines of Sam Manekshaw was “If a Man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
There is no name mentioned on the internet for the grandson of Sam Manekshaw.
India has had two Field Marshals: Sam Manekshaw (promoted in 1973) and K. M. Cariappa (promoted in 1986).
Written by: Kshitij
Audited by: Anchal
[ktz0825a60]