"She will continue to inspire generations."
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Asha Bhosle, a renowned figure in the history of Indian music, regretfully passed away.
The legendary singer had been admitted to the hospital on April 11, following a cardiac arrest.
Bhosle was 92 years old. She was born on September 8, 1933.
Beginning her singing career at the age of ten, Bhosle has left an indelible imprint on the hearts of many listeners globally.
She was the younger sister of the singing icon Lata Mangeshkar and has sung songs from films and albums in several languages.
Within Bollywood, she worked with a range of singers, from Mohammad Rafi to Sonu Nigam.
Rafi’s highest number of duets is with Bhosle, totalling a staggering 796 songs.
Bhosle is the recipient of many awards, including two National Film Awards and nine Filmfare Awards.
She was also nominated for two Grammy Awards.
In 2000, Bhosle was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award – the highest accolade in Indian cinema.
She was given the Padma Vibhushan Award in 2008 – India’s second-highest civilian honour.
In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged her as the most recorded artist in music.
At the age of 16, Bhosle eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle. They married in 1949 and separated in 1960. Ganpatrao died in 1966.
From her first marriage, Bhosle had three children. Her first son, Hemant Bhosle, died of cancer in 2015.
Her only daughter, Varsha Bhosle, committed suicide in 2012.
Asha Bhosle’s youngest child is Anand Bhosle, whose daughter is Zanai Bhosle. Zanai has a strong social media presence and has performed in live shows with her grandmother.
In 1980, Bhosle married the music director, RD Burman. The marriage ended with Burman’s death in 1994. She and Burman had no children together.
Bhosle was also a connoisseur of food and opened her own restaurant chain, Asha’s.
The first eatery opened in Dubai in 2002. Since then, the chain has restaurants in places, including Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Kuwait.
It also has establishments in the UK, including in Birmingham and Manchester.
Many paid condolences to Asha Bhosle after the news of her death.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who previously expressed his wishes for Bhosle’s recovery, wrote:
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Asha Bhosle Ji, one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known.
“Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world.
“Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions, her voice carried timeless brilliance.
“I’ll always cherish the interactions I’ve had with her. My condolences to her family, admirers and music lovers.
“She will continue to inspire generations, and her songs will forever echo in people’s lives.”
Deeply saddened by the passing of Asha Bhosle Ji, one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known. Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world. Be it her soulful melodies or… pic.twitter.com/SbFrzf1Meu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 12, 2026
One user said: “The Queen of Melody, Asha Bhosle Ji, is no more. Her voice accompanied us at every turn of our lives for eight decades.
“Today, a golden era of music has come to an end.
“You will live on forever in our memories and melodies.”
The Queen of Melody, Asha Bhosle ji, is no more. ?
Unki awaaz ne 8 dashako tak humari zindagi ke har mod par saath diya. Aaj ek sangeet ka sunehra yug khatam ho gaya. Aap hamesha humari yaadon aur suron mein zinda rahengi. ??#AshaBhosle #RipAshaJi #Legend #IndianMusic pic.twitter.com/x5suXQrkB3— Tarun Batra (@batratarun23) April 12, 2026
Another added: “Her timeless songs will continue to echo in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Asha Ji.”
In her lifetime, Bhosle performed in many concerts. Recently, she performed in Dubai in December 2024.
Her passing unquestionably leaves a massive void as a glorious chapter in Indian music comes to an end.
DESIblitz pay heartfelt tributes to Asha Bhosle, a talented singer who rendered each of her numbers with an unmatched gleam.
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