Sita Dahal Disease: What Illness Does Nepal’s First Lady Have?

Sita Dahal, the wife of Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, passed away on July 12, 2023, at the age of 69. She was suffering from a rare neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which affects the movement, balance, and eye coordination of the patients. She died of a cardiac arrest at the Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu, where she was undergoing treatment.
Who was Sita Dahal?
Sita Dahal was born in 1954 in Chitwan district of Nepal. She married Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, in 1979. Prachanda is the leader of the Nepal Communist Party and has served as the Prime Minister of Nepal twice, from 2008 to 2009 and from 2016 to 2017. He is currently the Prime Minister for the third time since February 2021.
Sita Dahal was a loyal supporter of her husband’s political career and accompanied him during his underground activities as a Maoist leader. She also participated in various social and cultural programs as the First Lady of Nepal. She was known for her simplicity, humility, and kindness.
Sita Dahal is survived by her husband and three children: Prakash Dahal, Ganga Dahal, and Renu Dahal. Prakash Dahal died in 2017 due to a heart attack. Ganga Dahal is a doctor and Renu Dahal is a politician who is currently the mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City.
What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)?
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that causes problems with movement, walking, balance, and eye movement. It results from damage to nerve cells in the brain that control thinking and body movement. The disorder’s long name indicates that the disease worsens (progressive) and causes weakness (palsy) by damaging certain parts of the brain above nerve cell clusters called nuclei (supranuclear) that control eye movement.

PSP is different from Parkinson’s disease-another movement disorder-although they share some symptoms. PSP affects about 5-6 out of 100,000 people worldwide. There is no known cause or cure for PSP, but some symptoms can be managed with medication or other interventions.
How did Sita Dahal Passed Away?
Sita Dahal was diagnosed with PSP in 2017 and had been undergoing treatment for her condition since then. She was taken to various hospitals in India as well as in Nepal for further treatment but her condition did not improve.
On July 12, 2023, she was admitted to the Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu after feeling unwell. She suffered a cardiac arrest at 8 am and despite resuscitation efforts by the doctors, she could not be revived. She was declared dead at 8:33 am.
Her death was mourned by various political leaders, dignitaries, and people of Nepal. Her body was taken to her residence in Baluwatar for final rites. Her funeral was held at Pashupatinath Temple with state honors.
Biodata
Data | Value |
---|---|
Full name | Sita Dahal |
Date of birth | 1954 |
Place of birth | Chitwan district, Nepal |
Date of death | July 12, 2023 |
Place of death | Norvic International Hospital, Kathmandu |
Cause of death | Cardiac arrest due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy |
Spouse | Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) |
Children | Prakash Dahal (deceased), Ganga Dahal, Renu Dahal |
Facts
- Sita Dahal was the wife of Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and the First Lady of Nepal.
- She was suffering from a rare neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which affects the movement, balance, and eye coordination of the patients.
- She died of a cardiac arrest at the Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu on July 12, 2023.
- She was known for her simplicity, humility, and kindness.
- She supported her husband’s political career and participated in various social and cultural programs as the First Lady.
- She is survived by her husband and two children: Ganga Dahal and Renu Dahal.
FAQs
Q: When did Sita Dahal marry Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda)?
A: Sita Dahal married Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) in 1979.
Q: How many children did Sita Dahal have?
A: Sita Dahal had three children: Prakash Dahal, Ganga Dahal, and Renu Dahal. Prakash Dahal died in 2017 due to a heart attack.
Q: What was the name of the rare neurological disorder that Sita Dahal had?
A: Sita Dahal had Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare brain disorder that causes problems with movement, walking, balance, and eye movement.
Q: When and where did Sita Dahal die?
A: Sita Dahal died on July 12, 2023, at the Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu.
Q: How did Sita Dahal die?
A: Sita Dahal died of a cardiac arrest due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Q: Where was Sita Dahal’s funeral held?
A: Sita Dahal’s funeral was held at Pashupatinath Temple with state honors.