sanjay khan wife
Sanjay Khan’s wife was Zarine Khan (born Zarine Katrak), an Indian former model, actress and interior designer, reportedly born on 12 July 1944 in Mumbai. She was married to the veteran actor-director for nearly six decades, and she died on 7 November 2025 at the age of 81.
Sanjay Khan is a well-known Indian actor, producer and director, remembered for popular 1960s and 1970s films and for the TV series The Sword of Tipu Sultan. Behind his public career stood a woman who preferred the background. In this article, we cover Zarine’s early life, her work, her love story with Sanjay, her wedding, her four children and the family she leaves behind.
Who Is Zarine Khan, Sanjay Khan’s Wife?
Zarine Khan was born Zarine Katrak into a Parsi (Zoroastrian) family in Mumbai. Sources place her birth in the mid-1940s, and her age at death points to 1944. A birth-anniversary tribute from her daughter was shared on 12 July, which is the date most often linked to her birthday.
Zarine grew up in the Mumbai of the 1950s and 1960s. This was a city where Parsi families were known for being modern, confident and open to new ideas. In her own words, she was the kind of girl who wore skirts and rock-and-roll shoes, which was common among young Zoroastrian women of that time. She described herself and Sanjay as “total opposites.”
Her nationality was Indian. Public records say little about her schooling, so we do not state specific schools or degrees here. What is well documented is that she became a successful model while still very young. She was even tipped by many to be the next Miss India.
One detail about her identity drew attention after her death. She never converted her religion after marrying Sanjay, so her family performed her last rites according to Hindu customs. Her daughter Farah summed it up beautifully, saying she was born a Parsi, married as a Muslim and cremated according to Hindu rites.
Zarine Khan’s Career and Professional Life
Zarine’s working life had three parts: modelling, a short film career and a long career in design.
Modelling and films. She began as a fashion model in the 1960s and then appeared in a few films. Her best-known role was in Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) opposite Dev Anand. She also appeared in Ek Phool Do Mali (1969).
Leaving the spotlight. After her marriage, she stepped back from acting and modelling. One report says she gave up her promising career at Sanjay’s insistence and chose to focus on her family. In an interview, Zarine said that once they started dating, Sanjay’s own acting career began to take off, and she shifted her focus to supporting him.
Interior design. This became her real second act. After marriage she moved into interior design and home décor, and she also wrote cookbooks and lifestyle articles. In a vlog by filmmaker Farah Khan, she was introduced as the original interior designer to the stars, having worked on homes for Sharmila Tagore, Sridevi and Raj Kapoor.
She shaped her daughters’ careers too. Both Sussanne and Simone followed her into interior design, and Sussanne began her design career in 1996 by following in her mother’s footsteps.
Net worth. Zarine’s net worth has never been officially published, and we will not guess a number. She earned her reputation through decades of design work for film families and wealthy clients in Mumbai.
How Did Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan Meet?
Their love story began when Zarine was very young. Reports say Sanjay met her when she was 14, through his mother, Bibi Fatima Begum Khan. Another account says they first met at a bus stop. Since both versions exist, the exact first meeting is a little unclear.
Years later, they began dating. On their second date, Sanjay proposed, and Zarine wisely suggested they wait a year to be sure of their feelings. This impressed him. The year of waiting became a courtship, and the couple grew close in the mid-1960s.
Their personalities were very different. Sanjay was a rising star with a strong personality and a growing film career. Zarine was independent, stylish and known for her calm manner. She later said on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, where the couple appeared together, that they were quite different from each other. Many friends believed those differences balanced the marriage.
Sanjay was open about why he was drawn to her. He said he felt comfortable with her, and over time she became his support system. She acted like a shadow to him, and he felt at ease knowing she was behind the scenes.
Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan: Marriage and Wedding Details
The couple tied the knot in 1966. The wedding crossed communities, since Sanjay was Muslim and Zarine was Parsi. In an era when such marriages were rare, it was one of the most talked-about weddings in the film industry. The exact wedding date and venue are not clearly documented in reliable sources, so we do not list them.
The marriage was not easy. Both partners spoke publicly about hard times. On Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Sanjay admitted to a relationship with actress Zeenat Aman while Zarine was expecting their son, Zayed, and Zarine confirmed it. Sanjay’s second marriage, to Zeenat Aman, took place in 1978 and was annulled in 1979. Zarine remained his wife through it all.
Another testing time was when Sanjay suffered severe burns in an accident and fought for his life. Zarine stayed by his side throughout his recovery. Because of moments like these, many writers describe her as a woman of great strength and patience.
The couple stayed together for almost 60 years. When Zarine died, Sanjay Khan survived her, along with their children.
Children and Family Life of Sanjay Khan and His Wife
Sanjay Khan and Zarine have four children, three daughters and one son:
- Farah Khan Ali, the eldest, a well-known jewellery designer.
- Simone Arora, an interior designer. She is married to Ajay Arora, and they own D’decor.
- Sussanne Khan, an interior designer and entrepreneur. She was formerly married to actor Hrithik Roshan for 14 years. They share two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan.
- Zayed Khan, a former actor known for Main Hoon Na. He is married to Malaika Parekh.
The family is known for its creative talent, and Zarine’s influence is easy to see. Three of her four children work in design and fashion. Her children also describe her as the glue of the family. Farah called her mother the bond that held the family together.
The family stayed close even after Sussanne’s divorce, and Hrithik Roshan was among those who paid tribute after Zarine’s passing. Months later, on Zarine’s birth anniversary, Sussanne shared an emotional video with rare old photos, and stars like Hrithik Roshan, Esha Deol and Malaika Arora reacted.
In terms of lifestyle, Zarine kept a low profile. She did not chase headlines. She preferred her design work, her kitchen and her family, which is why many fans only learned how much she had done after her death.
Zarine Khan on Social Media
Zarine Khan was not a typical social media celebrity, and no verified personal account with a large following is widely known. She stayed away from the limelight, much like the couple’s public image over the years.
Most of her online presence came through her family. Her daughters Sussanne and Farah share family photos and heartfelt posts on Instagram. One of her last public appearances was in filmmaker Farah Khan’s cooking vlog, where she served mutton kofta. Fans loved seeing her warm, cheerful side.
After her death, social media filled with tributes from celebrities such as Kajol, who called it a heartbreaking loss, along with many others from the film world.
Zarine Khan Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zarine Khan (born Zarine Katrak) |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 1944 (reported) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Interior designer, former model and actress, author |
| Married to | Sanjay Khan |
| Marriage Year | 1966 |
| Children | 4 (Farah, Simone, Sussanne and Zayed) |
| Net Worth | Not officially published |
| Date of Death | 7 November 2025, Mumbai (age 81) |
Sanjay Khan Wife FAQ
Q: Who is Sanjay Khan’s wife?
A: Sanjay Khan’s wife was Zarine Khan (née Katrak), a former model, actress and interior designer. They were married from 1966 until her death in November 2025.
Q: How old was Zarine Khan?
A: Zarine Khan was 81 when she died on 7 November 2025. She was reportedly born on 12 July 1944.
Q: What did Zarine Khan do for a living?
A: She was a model and actress in the 1960s, then became a respected interior designer. She also wrote cookbooks and lifestyle articles.
Q: When did Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan get married?
A: They married in 1966. They stayed together for nearly six decades.
Q: How many kids do Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan have?
A: They have four children: Farah Khan Ali, Simone Arora, Sussanne Khan and Zayed Khan.
Conclusion
Zarine Khan, Sanjay Khan’s wife, was far more than a film star’s partner. She was a model who nearly became a beauty queen, an actress who chose family over fame and an interior designer who decorated the homes of Bollywood royalty. She raised four accomplished children and kept her family together through both glamorous and difficult times.
Her story shows that real strength is often quiet. Many readers who search for Sanjay Khan’s wife will find a woman who loved deeply, stayed loyal and left behind a creative family and a warm legacy. Her memory lives on through her children, grandchildren and the beautiful spaces she designed.
