- 18 May, 2026
Kolkata, May 18, 2026: The Indian sporting fraternity is mourning the loss of former India basketball captain and Olympian Jennifer Paes, mother of tennis legend Leander Paes, who passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged battle with cancer. She breathed her last on Sunday after battling terminal illness, according to family sources. Her funeral service was held at St Thomas Church in Kolkata today.
Born Jennifer Dutton, she was also the great-great-granddaughter of noted Bengali poet and dramatist Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in one of India’s most celebrated sporting families.
Long before she became known as Leander Paes’ mother, Jennifer Paes had already carved out her own legacy in Indian sport. She emerged as one of the leading figures in Indian women’s basketball during the 1970s and early 1980s. Jennifer represented India in basketball at the 1972 Munich Olympics and later captained the national team, inspiring generations of women athletes with her determination, discipline and leadership.
In Kolkata’s sporting circles, Jennifer was admired not just for her achievements on the court, but also for her warmth, encouragement and deep commitment to nurturing young talent. Even after stepping away from public life due to illness, she remained a respected and cherished figure in the city’s sports community.
Jennifer’s passing comes less than a year after the death of her husband, Vece Paes, who passed away in August 2025. A member of India’s bronze medal-winning hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Dr Paes was widely respected both as a sportsman and as a pioneer in sports medicine.
Known affectionately as “Doc” in Indian sporting circles, he played a crucial role in shaping the career of his son Leander. From supporting his early tennis training to guiding him through the highs and lows of international sport, Vece Paes remained a constant pillar in his son’s journey.
The Paes family’s sporting legacy reached global heights through Leander Paes, one of India’s greatest tennis champions. Leander represented India for decades, winning a bronze medal in men’s singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and securing 18 Grand Slam titles across doubles and mixed doubles competitions.
Leander often credited both his parents for his fighting spirit, discipline and passion for sport. He once spoke proudly of inheriting the “sporting DNA” of his Olympian parents — a legacy that shaped his never-give-up attitude on the tennis court.
The Paes family remains one of the rare sporting families in India where multiple generations represented the nation on the global stage. Jennifer Paes’ life was not only defined by medals or titles, but by the inspiration she gave to countless athletes and sports lovers.
As tributes pour in from across the country, India remembers Jennifer Paes not merely as the mother of a tennis icon, but as a champion in her own right whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
Image Courtesy Leander Paes/Twitter
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