Silloo Bode Biography, Age, Death, Husband, Family, and More

Silloo Manekshaw, born as Silloo Bode, was much more than just the wife of Sam Manekshaw, India’s first field Marshal. Known as a gentle, kind and strong woman, Silloo always stood by her husband through every stage of his life. People loved her for her calm nature, simple way of living and caring personality. She was intelligent and managed her family and social responsibilities with great balance. Over the years, she continued to inspire others with her positive attitude and kindness. This article talks in depth about Silloo Bode along with her life, family, career and the lasting impact she left behind.

Who was Silloo Bode?

Silloo Bode, later known as Silloo Manekshaw was an Indian artist and a warm, kind hearted woman who cared deeply for others. She is best known as the wife of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India’s first field Marshal, but she had her own special identity too. Silloo loved painting, theatre and helping people. She spent many years in Coonoor, Tamilnadu, where she quietly worked for the welfare of the local community. She had a great love for painting, theatre and social work. Through her art and kindness, Silloo Manekshaw touched many hearts and left behind a legacy of kindness and grace.

Silloo Bode Biography Overview 

Attributes	Details
Full Name	Silloo Bode
Date of Birth	In Year 1911
Birth Place	Amritsar, Punjab
Age	90 years (at the time of death)
Date of Death	13 February 2001
Death Place	Tamilnadu, India
Death Cause	Lung cancer
Nationality	Indian
Spouse	Sam Manekshaw
Profession	Artist
Known for	Being the wife of Late Sam Manekshaw

Silloo Bode’s Age

Silloo Bode was born in 1911 in Amritsar, Punjab. She lived a long, meaningful and inspiring life before passing away on February 13, 2001. Silloo was 90 years old at the time of death. Throughout her life, she witnessed some of the most important moments in India’s history and stood as a strong pillar of support to her husband, Sam Manekshaw.

Silloo Bode Early Life & Education 

Silloo Bode was born in Amritsar, Punjab, into a well-educated Parsi family. From a young age, she showed a love for learning, painting, and theatre, which shaped her creative and compassionate nature. She completed her higher studies at Elphinstone College, Mumbai, and later trained in art at the Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai. Her education not only nurtured her artistic talents but also developed her sense of discipline, culture, and empathy.

Silloo Bode Physical Appearance 

Attributes	Information
Height	5 feet 5 inches (approx 165 cm)
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black

Silloo Manekshaw Husband

In 1937, while visiting her sister in Lahore, Silloo met a young, confident Indian Army officer, Captain Sam Manekshaw. Their friendship soon blossomed into love, and after two years of courtship, they married on 22 April 1939 in Mumbai.

At the time, India was on the brink of World War II, and Sam’s career required constant travel and postings to distant military fronts. While he served the nation, Silloo Bode managed the home front with strength and grace.

Silloo Bode Children 

The couple had two daughters, Sherry Manekshaw who was born in 1940. Secondly, Maja (Maya) Daruwala, who later became a respected human rights activist and writer.

Silloo raised both her daughters largely on her own due to Sam’s frequent military assignments. She taught them discipline, humility, and kindness.

Silloo Bode Family Background

Relation	Details
Boyfriend	Sam Manekshaw
Husband	Sam Manekshaw
Father-in-law	Hormusji Manekshaw
Mother-in-law	Heerabai Manekshaw
Children	2 Daughter Maja Daruwala Sherry Batliwala
Grandson	2Jehan SamRaoul Sam
Granddaughter	1Brandy Batliwala
Siblings	One sister
Family Origin	Amritsar, PunjabParsi (Zoroastrian) family

Silloo Bode Career

Beyond her role as a devoted wife and mother, Silloo Manekshaw was also an artist and a humanitarian. She worked in many fields,

Artist and Designer 

Silloo Bode studied at the famous J.J. School of Art which helped her become a talented painter. She loved painting all her life, mostly for her own joy and sometimes to support charity work. Her paintings decorated their homes, and showed her creative touch. The beautiful design of their house ‘Stavka’ in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, also reflected her artistic sense and taste. 

Social work and Community Service 

While living in different military cantonments, Silloo often supported soldiers’ families and took part in activities for the welfare of the poor. After the retirement of Sam Manekshaw, they moved to Coonoor, where Silloo helped in running a small clinic for the poor and worked closely with local charities to improve people’s lives.

Cultural Contributions

Apart from art and charity, Silloo Bode also loved theatre and cultural events.

At the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, she directed and organized plays to raise funds for social causes. Her creative energy inspired many officers’ families to take part in cultural programs.

Moral Support to her Husband 

She was Sam’s emotional anchor, honest, practical, and wise. Whenever Sam returned from long postings, he found peace and balance at home, thanks to her warmth and humor. She kept him grounded even after he became India’s first Field Marshal.

Life After Sam Manekshaw Retirement 

After serving so many years in the Indian army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw retired in 1973. After this, he and his wife, Silloo, moved to their peaceful home in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.

There, Silloo spent her days painting, gardening, and helping people in the community. She enjoyed simple pleasures and stayed active even in her later years. She loved reading books, painting, and hosting friends into their home. Her calm presence brought joy to everyone around her.

Silloo Manekshaw Net Worth 

Unlike modern public figures, Silloo Bode lived in an era where personal wealth was never flaunted. She did not run businesses or hold public office, and her life revolved around family and service. Therefore, her individual net worth is not publicly recorded.

However, as the wife of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, she lived a comfortable life supported by his army salary, pension, and later, national recognition.

Some online estimates mention that Sam’s approximate net worth was around ₹300 crore (unverified and speculative), but this refers more to his symbolic stature than to actual wealth.

Silloo Manekshaw Death

Silloo Bode passed away on 13 February 2001 at the age of 90 in Tamil Nadu after suffering from lung cancer. She was laid to rest in a Parsi cemetery in Ooty. Her husband, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, lived for another seven years and passed away in 2008.

Even after both their deaths, the legacy of the Manekshaws continues through their values, their service to the nation, and the respect they earned from millions of Indians.

In many ways, Silloo Bode’s story represents countless Indian women who silently supported their partners, built homes, raised children, and contributed to society with love and dignity.

Social Media Presence 

Silloo Bode lived before the time of social media, but her memory is still shared online today. Many people post about her life, kindness, and support to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Though she never used social media herself, her story continues to inspire people even today.

Unknown Facts about Silloo Bode

• She studied at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai.
• Silloo married Sam Manekshaw in 1939.
• She was the mother of two daughters- Sherry and Maja.
• The couple designed their own home, Stavka in Coonoor.
• The role of Silloo Manekshaw was portrayed by Sanya Malhotra in Sam Bahadur (2023).
• Silloo passed away in 2001 at age 90.

Conclusion 

Silloo Bode’s life might not be widely documented in history books, but her influence runs deep. She was not just the wife of India’s greatest soldier, she was his strength, his confidence and his peace. Her story reminds us that behind every extraordinary man is often an extraordinary woman who quietly builds the foundation of love, stability and courage.

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