Sunjay Kapur, an Indian billionaire who was reportedly a friend of Prince William, died Thursday following a heart attack during a polo match in Windsor, UK. Kapur, 53, was the chairman of Sona Comstar, a car parts manufacturer based in Gurgaon, India, founded by his late father. He was an avid polo player and was competing in the Queen’s Cup polo tournament before his death.
Kapur’s death was announced in a statement from the company, which cited a “sudden heart attack” in England. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Mr. Sunjay J. Kapur,” it read, per The Hindu. “A visionary leader, Mr. Kapur played a pivotal role in shaping Sona Comstar into a global mobility technology company built on innovation, sustainability, and purpose.”
According to the Telegraph, he on the field at Guards Polo Club when he lost consciousness during a break in play. Some reports have speculated that Kapur suffered a bee sting on the field, but the newspaper’s sources dismissed the theory. A friend told the Telegraph that he will be missed “not only by his family and friends but the local community” around the polo club.
“He didn’t distinguish between his grooms or high net worth friends,” the friend added. “When he had a party, everyone was invited and everyone was equal.”
Forbes estimates that Kapur’s net worth was $1.2 billion. Kupur was a graduate of the University of Buckingham, and he took over Sona Comstar in 2015, after the death of his father, Surinder Kapur. The younger Kapur was well known in India for his marriage to actress Karisma Kapoor, which ended acrimoniously in 2016. The couple had two children, and after his divorce, he was remarried to Priya Sachdev, with whom he had a son.
