Dato' Dr. M. Jegathesan was born on the 2nd of November 1943 in Ipoh, Perak. He received his early education in Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Road and Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur before furthering his studies at the Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore in 1956.

Dato' Dr. M. Jegathesan was the first national sportsman to be awarded the title of National Athlete in 1966. This award is an acknowledgement by the National Sports Council of his exception achievements in that year. He is also the first Malaysian athelete to receive a medal in an international sports event at the time.