In India’s elite business circles, Sunjay Kapur’s financial journey was more than just the story of a billionaire who inherited an auto-parts empire; it was an example of how strategic leadership, global scaling, and contemporary inheritance planning come together. Forbes estimated his personal wealth at a startling ₹10,300 crore at the time of his death in June 2025. Interestingly, that figure had dropped dramatically from a peak of ₹13,000 crore, which many ascribed to industry changes and macroeconomic pressures, especially in the export of automobiles and the volatility of the EV supply chain.
Sunjay went from inheritor to driver when he took over Sona Comstar in 2015 following the death of his father, industrial pioneer Surinder Kapur. His emphasis was especially creative: he made significant investments in EV-compatible parts and expanded throughout the US, China, Mexico, Serbia, and India. In addition to modernizing the company’s output, he drew in foreign investors keen to finance decarbonization trends in the automotive manufacturing industry by securing the company’s future-ready technologies.
Sunjay Kapur Net Worth
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sunjay Kapur |
| Born | October 15, 1971 |
| Died | June 12, 2025 (Age 53) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | University of Buckingham (BBA), Executive Education at Harvard Business |
| Industry | Automotive Components |
| Company | Sona Comstar |
| Net Worth (2025) | ₹10,300 crore / $1.2 Billion |
| Marriages | Nandita Mahtani, Karisma Kapoor, Priya Sachdev |
| Children | Four (Samaira, Kiaan, Azarias, one unlisted) |
| Key Connection | Prince William (personal friend) |
Kapur’s decisions paid off, as he was remarkably successful in shifting the focus toward sustainable growth. Sona Comstar’s market value was close to ₹31,000 crore by 2024. Contracts to supply electric two- and three-wheeler parts to both established automakers and startups drove its revenue. Sunjay made sure Sona was viewed as a partner that would shape the future rather than merely a manufacturer of parts by exercising strategic foresight.
However, Kapur’s life extended beyond factory floors and balance sheets. Particularly because of his well-publicized marriages, his personal story had remarkably public contours. His first wives were fashion designer Nandita Mahtani and actress Karisma Kapoor, with whom he had two children. His youngest son’s mother, model Priya Sachdev, came last. These connections, which tabloids frequently analyzed, increased public interest. Randhir Kapoor, Karisma’s father, famously called Sunjay “a third-class man,” a comment that was widely reported in Indian media.
Sunjay was particularly concerned about his children’s future, even in spite of the acrimonious fallout with Karisma. He obtained ₹14 crore in bonds for Samaira and Kiaan, his children with Karisma, during the 2016 divorce proceedings, guaranteeing them ₹10 lakh per month. This act, which was grounded in both money and emotion, showed a degree of concern that is frequently lacking in highly contentious divorces. He established a model that has proven especially helpful in the current discussion on modern parenting in split households by organizing these long-term revenue streams to offer stability during formative years.
The business world paused after he died of suspected anaphylactic shock, allegedly after swallowing a bee during a London polo match. In a sudden, unnerving manner, a man who had been seen sharing the field with British royals had vanished. His loved ones confirmed the tragic and uncommon allergic reaction, although initial news reports suggested a heart attack. “I’ve swallowed something” was his final, hauntingly human statement, capping a life that had seemed nearly unaffected.
But the business he left behind has carried on with remarkable poise. Sona Comstar assured interested parties in an official statement that “our operations and prospects remain unchanged as we honor his legacy.” However, there is no denying the leadership void. According to reports, his sisters Mandira Kapur and Superna Motwane may assume important decision-making responsibilities since his children are still young and not involved in business matters. If verified, this change represents a markedly matrilineal shift in a patriarchal succession-driven industry.
Despite being incredibly transparent, Kapur’s financial plan also brings up more general social concerns regarding dynastic wealth. Debates about how ultra-rich families divide their wealth among several heirs and spouses have heated up in recent years. Priya Sachdev is generally anticipated to inherit operational control in Sunjay’s case, whereas Karisma’s children currently have no claim to executive power despite having safe financial settlements. This disarray reflects a shifting paradigm among billionaire families, where bloodlines and business no longer neatly intersect.
Discussions concerning the relationships between fame, family, and money were also reignited by his passing. Sunjay Kapur always had the media following him, in contrast to tech titans who rose from anonymity. He was constantly under public scrutiny, from being photographed at Bollywood events to being mentioned in court cases. Nevertheless, he persisted in developing—silently broadening Sona’s clientele, carefully selecting personnel, and coaching up-and-coming manufacturing voices.
It’s interesting to note that his relationship with Prince William—which is often mentioned in society columns—was more than just symbolic. Their love of polo and their friendship frequently made it difficult to distinguish between friendship and diplomacy. These high-level connections weren’t merely for show; they strengthened brand prestige, provided access to markets, and established a discreet conduit of power that few Indian executives could match.
In hindsight, Sunjay Kapur’s tale is as much about legacy as it is about measured ambition. Headlines followed him, but he didn’t chase them. Although he didn’t fit the stereotype of the flamboyant tycoon, his choices had consequences. Having grown up in various homes, his children now embody the continuation of a legacy created via meticulous preparation and emotional fortitude.
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