Veteran Journalist Sir Mark Tully Passes Away in New Delhi at 90

NEW DELHI – Sir Mark Tully, the legendary BBC correspondent often described as the “Voice of India,” passed away today, January 25, 2026, at the age of 90. He died at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, following a stroke and multi-organ failure.

A Life Dedicated to the Subcontinent

Born in Kolkata in 1935, Tully’s career spanned the defining moments of modern Indian history. Serving as the BBC’s Bureau Chief in New Delhi for over 20 years, he became a household name across South Asia. His reporting on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Emergency, and the assassination of Indira Gandhi earned him unparalleled respect for his objectivity and empathy.

Beyond the Microphone
Tully was more than a reporter; he was a bridge between cultures. Known affectionately as “Tully Sahib,” he was fluent in Hindi and chose to make India his permanent home. His literary contributions, including the seminal No Full Stops in India, provided global audiences with a nuanced understanding of the country’s social fabric.

A Decorated Legacy

His commitment to excellence was recognized with a Knighthood in the UK (2002) and India’s prestigious Padma Shri (1992) and Padma Bhushan (2005). Even after his high-profile resignation from the BBC in 1994, he remained an active and influential voice in freelance journalism and broadcasting.

Tributes Pour In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning, describing Tully as a “towering voice of journalism” who understood India’s pulse like few others. Colleagues and admirers worldwide have hailed him as the “last of the great foreign correspondents,” marking the end of an era for global journalism.