When Neena Gupta discovered she was pregnant with her daughter Masaba in 1989, she instantly knew her life was about to change forever. Choosing to embrace motherhood as an unmarried woman was no small decision—especially when the father was none other than legendary West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards. In her candid autobiography Sach Kahun Toh, Neena shared that her initial reaction was one of pure elation—she was “giddy with joy.”
Vivian Richards’ Support Gave Her Strength
However, despite the excitement, Neena felt it was only right to speak with Vivian before making her final decision. When he responded with his support, a wave of relief washed over her. His go-ahead gave her the strength to face what would become one of the boldest and most defining chapters of her life.
How Neena and Vivian Met
In her memoir, Neena Gupta revealed that she first met Vivian Richards at a dinner party hosted by the Maharani of Jaipur, just a day after watching him play a match. The two connected effortlessly during their first meeting. However, their budding friendship was briefly interrupted when Vivian returned home, as they hadn’t exchanged contact details and had no way to stay in touch.
A Chance Reunion Sparks a Relationship
The two reconnected unexpectedly at the Delhi airport, and their bond quickly turned into a romantic relationship. Sometime after, Neena discovered she was pregnant—by then, Vivian had already returned to his home country. Faced with a flood of opinions from those around her, some urging her to consider an abortion and others warning about the challenges of single motherhood, Neena took it all in. But it was only when she was alone with her thoughts that she truly confronted her feelings. Despite the uncertainty, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy at the prospect of becoming a mother.
Making a Joint Decision
Neena Gupta recognized that bringing a child into the world wasn’t a decision she could make alone—it was important to consider Vivian Richards’ perspective too. Wanting to be fair and responsible, she reached out to him over the phone and explained the situation. She asked whether he would be okay with her having his baby. To her relief, Vivian responded positively and supported her decision. That reassurance gave Neena the confidence she needed to move forward. Although she deeply desired the child, she had also been clear that she wouldn’t proceed unless the father was in agreement—his support confirmed for her that she was making the right choice.
A Relationship with Highs and Lows
After Masaba was born, Vivian Richards remained as involved as he could be, given the circumstances. Neena Gupta and Vivian’s relationship evolved over time, experiencing both highs and lows. Since Vivian was already married and their connection was long-distance, it was far from conventional. Their bond went through several phases—filled with both cherished memories and difficult moments—making it a complex and emotionally layered chapter in Neena’s life.
Neena Gupta raised her daughter Masaba as a single mother, navigating the challenges with strength and grace. Years later, she found companionship and love again, marrying Vivek Mehra, a Chartered Accountant, at the age of 59—proving that it’s never too late to start a new chapter in life.
