Malleswari was born in Voosavanipeta, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
She has four sisters, who are all well trained in weightlifting.
Karnam Malleswari withdrew from the 2002 Commonwealth Games due to the death of her father
She is the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics in 2000
She married fellow-weightlifter Rajesh Tyagi in 1997
She made India proud by winning Bronze at Sydney Olympics 2000
She works at the Food Corporation of India as Chief General Manager