Pakistani actress, writer and television host Mira Sethi has spoken candidly about her marriage and divorce, saying both decisions were entirely her own and that she does not hold anyone else responsible for how the relationship ended.
During a recent podcast appearance, Sethi reflected on the personal lessons she learned from her divorce and explained how the experience changed her understanding of relationships, identity and personal responsibility.
She said one of the most important lessons was not to depend entirely on instinct when making major life decisions. She also stressed the importance of not changing one’s personality to meet others’ expectations, whether that person is a spouse, friend, employer or anyone else.
According to Sethi, people may appreciate it when someone adjusts their personality or behavior according to what they want. However, she said that giving up or compromising one’s identity to please others is neither healthy nor positive.
The actress said her marriage and divorce taught her valuable lessons, contributed to her personal growth and helped her become more mature. She added that she can now discuss the experience openly because several years have passed and she has moved on in her life.
Sethi also addressed the social criticism women often face following divorce or separation. She said women are frequently blamed when a marriage ends, with people suggesting that the woman “failed to adjust” or did not make enough effort to save the relationship.
However, she said she did not experience social pressure to marry and made the decision at a relatively late age compared with what society often expects of women.
Sethi described her decision to marry as deeply personal, saying it was motivated by love and idealism. She maintained that she takes full responsibility for making that choice and “does not blame anyone else” for the eventual divorce.
Her comments highlighted the importance of recognizing personal agency while also learning from difficult life experiences. She suggested that the end of a marriage should not automatically be viewed as a personal failure, particularly for women who already face intense scrutiny from society.
Mira Sethi married Bilal Siddiqi in California in November 2019. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2023. She publicly confirmed the separation last year after largely keeping details of her personal life away from public discussion.
The actress said enough time had now passed for her to speak about the matter with greater clarity, maturity and emotional distance.
