M.I.A..

மாதங்கி அருள்பிரகாசம் Mathangi Arulpragasam

Born 18 Jul 1975 Hounslow, United Kingdom

Citizenship Sri Lanka

Age 50 yr Today

12 min read

Reading time

2,381

Words

Jun 6, 2026

Published

Film credits

Award

TL;DR

M.I.A., born Mathangi Arulpragasam in 1975, began her career as a visual artist before launching her music career with her debut single Galang in 2004. Her 2008 single Paper Planes became a global hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning multiple platinum certifications. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for O…Saya from Slumdog Millionaire in 2009.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of M.I.A. — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Mathangi Arulpragasam

Native Name மாதங்கி அருள்பிரகாசம்

Nicknames Maya

Aliases Maya Arulpragasam, M.I.A

PARENTS: Arul Pragasam
SIBLINGS: Kali Arulpragasam

At a glance.

STATS

M.I.A. by the numbers — life, work, and family.

50 Age

14 Film credits

1 Award

Who is M.I.A.?

BIOGRAPHY

M.I.A. — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

M.I.A. was born Mathangi Arulpragasam in Hounslow, London on 18 July 1975, but moved to Sri Lanka at only six months old. Her father, Arul Pragasam, was a Tamil guerilla fighter and leader of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students. The family later returned to London as refugees when she was a child. She attended Holy Family Convent in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and later Ricards Lodge High School in London, before studying fine art, film and video at Central Saint Martins.

Career

M.I.A. began her music career in 2002, posting songs on MySpace. Her debut single Galang and Sunshowers gained traction in 2004. She released her debut album Arular in 2005 to critical acclaim. Her second album Kala 2007 featured the hits Boyz and Jimmy, and included Paper Planes, which became her biggest international success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over 3.6 million copies in the US. In 2009, she collaborated with A.R. Rahman on the song O…Saya for Slumdog Millionaire, earning an Academy Award nomination. She released three more studio albums: Maya 2010, Matangi 2013, and AIM 2016. She also founded her own record label N.E.E.T. Recordings in 2008.

Personal life

M.I.A. dated DJ Diplo from 2001 to 2006, and they collaborated on her early work. She later dated Benjamin Bronfman, a billionaire environmentalist, from 2008 to 2012; they became engaged in 2008 and had a son, Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman, on 11 February 2009. M.I.A. gave birth the same day she was scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards. She was awarded the MBE Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to music.

Legacy

M.I.A. pioneered blending global sounds with electronic music and political activism. She was one of the first artists to gain fame through the internet, using MySpace to share her music. In 2009, Time magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people. Her album Kala was named best album of 2007 by Rolling Stone and Blender. M.I.A. has influenced a generation of artists with her unapologetic political commentary and innovative music videos, such as the controversial Bad Girls. She remains a powerful voice in music and activism.

Filmography.

FILMS · 14

Browse the complete filmography of M.I.A. — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Daily Show

1996
TV

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014
TV

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003
TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
TV

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993
Movie

Matangi / Maya / M.I.A.

2018
TV

The Grammys

1959

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by M.I.A. — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Member of the Order of the British Empire

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 2

A wall of memorable lines from M.I.A. — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Those Records Were Rhythmic, so Whether You Understood the Language or Not, You Could Understand the Music.
It Had That Same Homelessness About It. It Didn’t Have a Particular Genre, Which Is What People Always Say to Me: Your Song Doesn’t Fit Anywhere. so I Went on a Mad Mission to Find Other People Like That, Because Then We Could Make a Home. Her Thoughts When She Heard One of Diplo’s Songs for the First Time.

Did you know?

FACTS · 18

Little-known facts about M.I.A. — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

She was raised in Sri Lanka, where her father was a guerilla fighter.
She eventually returned to her birthplace in London, where she and her family were housed as refugees.
She performed at the Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009 although it was the day she was due to give birth to her first child.
She was born in Hounslow, London. When she was six months old, her family moved back to their native Sri Lanka.
Some of her early influences were Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante and N.W.A.
After hearing his single News Flash and loving it, she tracked down and met with Diplo, the Mississippi-born DJ originally named Wesley Pentz, to work on some material.
Her father was Arul Pragasam, leader of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students EROS, one of the main Tamil anti-government organizations operating in Sri Lanka.
She is of Sri Lankan descent.
She gave birth to her first child at age 33, a son named Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman on February 11, 2009. The child’s father is her now ex-fiancé, Benjamin Bronfman.
Her hit Paper Planes achieved multi-platinum certification in Canada and the United States, was certified gold in New Zealand, and reached the top 20 on world charts.
She attended Central Saint Martins Art School in London, where she studied fine art, film and video.
Her stage name M.I.A. is an acronym for Missing In Acton, in reference to the gritty section of London she lived in.
Her first public art exhibition was nominated for the alternative Turner Prize; every painting sold and a monograph book of the collection was published by Pocko.
She was in a relationship with Benjamin Bronfman from 2008 they became engaged the same May to 2012. They have a son together.
She was heavily involved in international politics and expressed support for embattled Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
She had a five-year relationship with Diplo, and from 2008 to 2012 she dated billionaire environmentalist Benjamin Bronfman.
She was awarded the MBE Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to music.
Her debut album Arular was released in America in March 2005.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 47

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about M.I.A..

When was M.I.A. born?

M.I.A. was born on July 18, 1975. She was born in Hounslow, London, England, UK.
Where was M.I.A. born?

M.I.A. was born in Hounslow, London, England, UK. She was born on July 18, 1975.
How old is M.I.A.?

M.I.A. is 50 years old as of 2025. She was born on July 18, 1975.
What is M.I.A.'s real name?

M.I.A.’s real name is Mathangi Arulpragasam. She is also known as Maya Arulpragasam.
What is M.I.A.'s native name?

M.I.A.’s native name in Tamil is மாதங்கி அருள்பிரகாசம். She is of Sri Lankan Tamil origin.
What does M.I.A. do for a living?

M.I.A. is a rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and activist. She also works as an actor, composer, and director.
What nationality is M.I.A.?

M.I.A. holds Sri Lankan citizenship. She was born in the United Kingdom but her ethnic background is Sri Lankan Tamil.
Who are M.I.A.'s parents?

M.I.A.’s father is Arul Pragasam, who was a leader of the Tamil guerilla group EROS. Her mother’s name is not publicly known from the source.
Does M.I.A. have any siblings?

Yes, M.I.A. has one sibling named Kali Arulpragasam.
Where did M.I.A. go to school?

M.I.A. attended Holy Family Convent in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, later Ricards Lodge High School in London, and studied fine art, film and video at Central Saint Martins.
What awards has M.I.A. won?

M.I.A. was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours. She has also been nominated for an Academy Award and three Grammy Awards.
How many awards has M.I.A. won?

According to the source, M.I.A. has won one major award: the MBE. She has received multiple nominations including an Oscar and Grammys.
What is M.I.A. best known for?

M.I.A. is best known for her music, especially her hit single Paper Planes from 2007. She also gained fame for her debut album Arular and her visual art.
How tall is M.I.A.?

M.I.A. is 5 feet 6 inches 1.66 meters tall.
What is the meaning of M.I.A.'s stage name?

M.I.A. is an acronym for Missing In Acton, referencing the gritty section of London she lived in. It also plays on her name and the abbreviation for Missing in Action.
What was M.I.A.'s debut album?

M.I.A.’s debut album is Arular, released in 2005. It charted in several countries and was well-received critically.
Which single brought M.I.A. global fame?

The single Paper Planes from her 2007 album Kala brought M.I.A. global fame. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 3.6 million copies in the US.
Did M.I.A. win an Oscar?

No, M.I.A. did not win an Oscar. She was nominated for Best Original Song for O…Saya from the film Slumdog Millionaire in 2009.
What is N.E.E.T. Recordings?

N.E.E.T. Recordings is the independent record label founded by M.I.A. in 2008. The first artist signed was Baltimore rapper Rye Rye.
How many studio albums has M.I.A. released?

M.I.A. has released five studio albums: Arular 2005, Kala 2007, Maya 2010, Matangi 2013, and AIM 2016.
What is M.I.A.'s relationship with Diplo?

M.I.A. had a five-year relationship with DJ Diplo starting around 2001. They collaborated on her early work, including the song Paper Planes.
Who is M.I.A.'s ex-fiancé?

M.I.A.’s ex-fiancé is Benjamin Bronfman, a billionaire environmentalist. They were engaged in 2008 and have a son together.
When did M.I.A. give birth to her son?

M.I.A. gave birth to her son, Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman, on February 11, 2009. This was just days after she performed at the Grammy Awards.
What was M.I.A.'s early career before music?

Before music, M.I.A. was a visual artist, filmmaker, and designer. Her first public art exhibition was nominated for the alternative Turner Prize in 2001.
Is M.I.A. politically active?

Yes, M.I.A. is heavily involved in international politics. She has expressed support for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and her music often addresses political and social issues.
What is the meaning of the album title Kala?

The album Kala is named after M.I.A.’s mother. It was recorded in multiple countries due to visa complications in the US.
Did M.I.A. perform at the Super Bowl?

M.I.A. performed at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in 2012. She was sued by the NFL for flipping her middle finger during the performance.
What is the most controversial music video by M.I.A.?

The music video for Born Free, directed by Romain Gavras, was controversial for its violent content depicting genocide against red-haired adolescents. It was removed from YouTube multiple times.
How did M.I.A. start her music career?

M.I.A. started her music career in 2002 by posting songs on MySpace. She gained early attention with the singles Galang and Sunshowers in 2004.
What was M.I.A.'s highest-charting album?

M.I.A.’s highest-charting album in the US and UK is Maya 2010. It reached number nine on the Billboard 200 and debuted in the top 10 in several other countries.
What instruments did M.I.A. use in her early music?

M.I.A.’s early compositions relied heavily on the Roland MC-505 music sequencer and drum machine. She later incorporated rare instruments and unusual sound samples.
Did M.I.A. direct her own music videos?

Yes, M.I.A. directed music videos for her songs Bird Flu, Boyz, S.U.S. Save Ur Soul, Space, and XXXO. She also directed videos for other artists like Elastica and Rye Rye.
What honor did M.I.A. receive in 2019?

M.I.A. was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to music.
How many times has M.I.A. been nominated for a Grammy?

M.I.A. has been nominated for three Grammy Awards. She was nominated for Record of the Year for Paper Planes and Best Original Song for O…Saya, among others.
What was M.I.A.'s first Top 10 single?

M.I.A.’s first Top 10 single was Boyz from her album Kala. It reached the Top 10 in Canada and on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart in 2007.
What is the name of M.I.A.'s film documentary?

A documentary about M.I.A. titled Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. was released in 2018. It features her as herself.
What is M.I.A.'s connection to Slumdog Millionaire?

M.I.A. contributed songs to the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, including the track O…Saya which was nominated for an Academy Award. She collaborated with composer A.R. Rahman.
Where did M.I.A. record her album Kala?

Due to visa complications in the United States, M.I.A. recorded Kala in India, Trinidad, Liberia, Jamaica, Australia, Japan, and the UK, before completing it in the US.
What is the meaning of the acronym M.I.A.?

M.I.A. stands for Missing In Acton, referencing the gritty area of London where she lived. It also alludes to the military term Missing in Action.
Who are some of M.I.A.'s musical influences?

Some of M.I.A.’s early influences include Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, and N.W.A.
What was M.I.A.'s first public art achievement?

M.I.A.’s first public art exhibition was nominated for the alternative Turner Prize. All paintings sold, and a monograph of the collection was published by Pocko.
Is M.I.A. a refugee?

M.I.A. was born in London but moved to Sri Lanka as an infant. Her family returned to London as refugees when she was a child due to the civil war in Sri Lanka.
What is the title of M.I.A.'s mixtape released in 2010?

M.I.A. released a mixtape titled Vicki Leekx on December 31, 2010. It was followed by an EP Internet Connection: The Remixes in 2011.
Did M.I.A. ever perform with Björk?

Yes, M.I.A. performed as an opening act for Björk on three dates in the US and France during her Kala Tour in 2007-2008.
What is M.I.A.'s view on the refugee crisis?

M.I.A. has been vocal about the global refugee crisis. In 2015, she released the song Borders and a self-directed video showing her joining refugees climbing fences and wading in the ocean.
Who is the father of M.I.A.'s son?

The father of M.I.A.’s son is Benjamin Bronfman, her ex-fiancé. She gave birth to their son Ikhyd on February 11, 2009.
What is M.I.A.'s height?

M.I.A. is 5 feet 6 inches 1.66 meters tall.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on June 6, 2026

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M.I.A..

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

The Daily Show

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Real Time with Bill Maher

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Matangi / Maya / M.I.A.

The Grammys