Former PM Deve Gowda's wife, Chennamma, dies at 89 in Bengaluru

Family sources said her mortal remains would be shifted to the family residence in Padmanabhanagar in Bengaluru on Saturday night and were likely to remain there till Sunday afternoon. The last rites are likely to be held on Monday at the family's native place in Hassan district.

In Short

• She stayed away from public life despite her husband's active political career
• CM Shivakumar and Dy CM Parameshwara condoled her death
• Last rites to be held Monday in Hassan

Chennamma Deve Gowda, wife of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, passed away on Saturday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru. She was 89 and had been undergoing treatment for a respiratory ailment.

Gowda, his son and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, and other family members were at the hospital. Family sources said her mortal remains would be shifted to the family residence in Padmanabhanagar in Bengaluru on Saturday night and were likely to remain there till Sunday afternoon. The last rites are likely to be held on Monday at the family’s native place in Hassan district.

According to hospital authorities, Chennamma was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road on Wednesday night. In a statement, the hospital said that Chennamma suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 4 pm.

Chennamma had survived an acid attack in February 2001, which allegedly stemmed from a family feud.

She married Deve Gowda in 1954, and the couple had four sons and two daughters, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and MLA H D Revanna, who represents the Holenarasipur constituency in Hassan district.

Despite being the wife and mother of prominent politicians, she largely stayed away from the public spotlight. Deve Gowda often publicly acknowledged her sacrifices, unwavering support and the role she played in managing the family while he pursued his political career. Kumaraswamy has also often said that his mother’s values guided him throughout his political journey.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar condoled her death and described her as a motherly figure. He said she was a deeply religious woman and a devoted mother who nurtured and guided a large family, and that her hard work and sacrifices were instrumental in the political and personal rise of HD Deve Gowda, HD Kumaraswamy, HD Revanna and other members of the family.

In a statement, he said, "We were all hopeful that she would recover and return home from the hospital. It is deeply saddening that this hope did not come true." He added, "It is often said that behind every successful man stands a woman. Chennamma stood firmly behind every success of Deve Gowda. She neither lost heart when family members faced defeat nor became overjoyed in victory. Through the ups and downs of politics, she remained his pillar of strength."

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said Chennamma had been a constant pillar of strength throughout Deve Gowda’s political journey and public life. "I pray that Shri Deve Gowda and the entire family find the strength to overcome this profound loss," he said in a post on X.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said the news had caused him profound grief. "The passing of the matriarch of a family is an irreplaceable loss that can never truly be filled," he said in a post on X

Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who visited the hospital to pay his respects, said he was deeply saddened by her death. In a post on X, he said, "Throughout Shri Deve Gowda’s long political journey, with all its highs and lows, she stood by him as a constant source of support and was the guiding maternal force for the entire family. The passing of the simple and noble-hearted Chennamma is a great loss to the entire Deve Gowda family."

BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra also expressed condolences and said Chennamma’s contribution to Deve Gowda’s achievements in politics had been significant.

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