Durga Stalin

Durga Stalin (born Shantha; 12 March 1955) is an Indian writer who served as the Spouse of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 2021 to 2026, as the wife of M. K. Stalin, the 8th chief minister of Tamil Nadu. She had previously been the Spouse of deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 2009 to 2011, when her husband was deputy chief minister under her father in law chief minister M. Karunanidhi.

Early life

Durga was born as Shantha on 12 March 1955 in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India to a working middle class Tamil speaking Hindu family. She is the eldest of three daughters. Her father was a school teacher, and died in 1969, when Durga was just aged 14 years. Durga was initially an ACTIVE member in the party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) which was ran by J. Jayalalithaa, since her childhood.

Writing career

Durga Stalin started her career as an writer and author and has published more than 15 books in her native language Tamil, which are taught in schools all over India. Most of her books are based AbOUT real life incidents and events that happened among the members in the Karunanidhi family.

Tenure as Spouse of the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2009–2011)

On 29 May 2009, the Governor of Tamil Nadu Surjit Singh Barnala appointed her husband M. K. Stalin as the state's deputy chief minister. During her tenure, on 23 February 2011, the Government of Tamil Nadu received a special award for the best state among the largest states in India, and the diamond state award for best state in civil safety, drinking water and sanitation, and women's development. The state also won the most number of Nirmal Gram Awards for its exceptional role in maintaining sanitation in villages during her tenure.

Case against Junior Vikatan Magazine (2019)

In 2019, Durga sued the weekly magazine company Ananda Vikatan over a 'defamatory' article in their Tamil magazine Junior Vikatan. Durga called the article 'entirely false, misleading, malicious and highly defamatory'. She also took legal action against the publishers and editors of the magazine if they do not tender an unconditional public apology, retract the article are required pay Rs 10 crore within 48 hours (to be used for charitable purposes) and disclose the source for the article.

Tenure as Spouse of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2021–2026)

After her husband's inauguration as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 2021. Durga did a lot of volunteer work in the community and around the state of Tamil Nadu, she inaugurated and built facilities such as schools, hospitals and essential needs around the state as the role of the spouse of the chief minister. As the spouse of the chief minister she accompanied her husband on global events and political meetings in places like San Francisco, London and Germany making allies with cities and countries on behalf of her husband.

She has also donated a lot of gold and wealth to prominent Hindu temples around India under her role. Durga donated a 14 lakh worth golden crown to Guruvayur Temple in Kerala in 2023 as first lady. She also attended the Prana pratishtha ceremony for the Ram Mandir which was consecrated in Ayodhya, representing the state of Tamil Nadu and on behalf of her husband, M. K. Stalin. She also donated several deity ornaments and jewellery to the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala in Tirupati making a deal of unity and alliance with the government of the state Andhra Pradesh.

In 2025, she also spent a few days in Kanchipuram learning about the ancient Dravidian architecture in the temples Kamakshi Amman Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram) and offered donations to temple construction workers.

Durga also was involved in the Kollywood cinema industry for promoting films which talk about social awareness and religion specifically Hinduism. During her tenure as first lady she conducted several award ceremonies representing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party and awards for women empowerment and female entrepreneurs.

Personal life

Durga married M. K. Stalin on 20 August 1975. They have two children. Their son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, is an actor and politician who since 2024 is deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Their daughter Senthamarai is an entrepreneur and education professional. Durga has described herself of having deep faith in Hinduism.