I was so close to losing her: Priyanka Chopra on daughter Malti Marie’s premature birth

Actor shared that her daughter has brought out a protective side in her

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the “female Tom Cruise” as per Joe Russo, has opened up about her harrowing experience with the premature birth of her daughter Malti Marie in January 2022 and how scared she was of losing her.

Priyanka and her husband, Nick Jonas, welcomed their baby girl via surrogate. Due to complications, Malti was delivered a full trimester before her due date and required immediate care. "She's got me wrapped around her finger. I don't even know how I'll ever discipline her because I just don't have it in me. I was so close to losing her so many times that she can get away with anything and I just want to see her happy,” Priyanka told ELLE magazine.

"I want her to be the happiest. She's a super smiley, happy baby, and that's all my goal is - to see her joyous. Every time she smiles, it lights up my world, and that's all I want to do,” she gushed. The Citadel actor recounted how she feared the worst when her first child was born, but is thrilled to have a happy and healthy toddler now. Malti has also brought out a protective side to the Quantico actor – one that she didn't have before becoming a parent.

"I've seen my mom rip people when I've been hurt, and I just never understood it. I was like, 'Mom, chill out. What are you doing?' Now I get it. I would take someone out," she laughed. May marks her second Mother's Day since welcoming her Malti. Upon how she plans to celebrate motherhood this year, the Baywatch actor shared that she hasn’t been a mother long enough to celebrate it. However, her focus and attention for this month will be on her own mother figures, including her mom, grandmother, aunties, and her mother-in-law, Denise Miller-Jonas.

"I've had incredible influences of moms in my life, and now with my mother-in-law, who's this epic, amazing woman," she said. "I've not been a mom long enough to be able to celebrate, but I love to celebrate the moms in my life on Mother's Day." Priyanka also revealed that Nick splits the domestic load with her equally. “We just feel a sense of contribution when it comes to the not-fun stuff," she said. "I don't remember having a conversation where I'm like, 'I need you to do more of this.' We both have careers that are important to us, so we split our time in a way where one of us is able to do the house things or be with the baby."

In addition to discussing her motherhood experience, Priyanka also spoke about her career in Hollywood and India. Curious about her future as an actor and a mom, she stated, “I'm at the precipice of figuring out what my career in America looks like. I've enjoyed being able to play a variety of roles, [and I've] worked in different genres with the best filmmakers in India. I'd like to be able to explore that on the other side of the pond as well. I’m curious to see as an actor how I will unfold in this next decade. I’m curious to see what kind of mom I end up becoming. I’m curious to see how as a woman I change.”

Concluding, Priyanka shed light on her love language – acts of service – and how she believes in keeping the spark alive in a relationship with the little things. Giving an example of making coffee in bed, she said, "You have to be able to give that love and support to the people that also give you that kind of support. If you see your partner doing something every day that seems boring for them, just surprise them by doing it.”

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