Last week, the sudden passing of Sunjay Kapur stunned many. Witnesses have shared the poignant final words of the billionaire, who was the chairman of Sona Comstar and a close associate of Prince William. Kapur passed away on Thursday, June 12.
The Indian-born businessman, who also held US citizenship, was an avid polo enthusiast. He was playing in Windsor, UK, when he suddenly became ill and collapsed. At the time, his team was competing against the Sujan Indian Tigers in the subsidiary final of the Queen’s Cup. The exact cause of his death is still under investigation.
According to The Telegraph, witnesses heard him exclaim, “I’ve swallowed something,” just before he collapsed. Other onlookers noted that Kapur lost consciousness while leaning over his horse during a pause in play.
Many have since paid tribute to Kapur, whose net worth was approximately $1.2 billion. Sona Comstar released a statement calling him “a visionary leader,” commending his “passion, insight, and dedication” for shaping the company’s identity and success. A friend noted, “He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the local community around his club, as he employed so many people and made so many friends – he was fun, kind, and generous.”
Kapur was known for treating everyone equally, inviting both his high-net-worth friends and employees to his gatherings.
He attended the Doon School in northern India, where he was remembered as “a passionate fitness and sport enthusiast and learner for life.”
After completing his education at the boarding school, Kapur graduated from the University of Buckingham. He took over his father Surinder Kapur’s business following his father’s death in 2015. Surinder Kapur was a trailblazer in the Indian auto parts sector since founding Sona Comstar in 1995.
Sunjay Kapur is survived by his wife, Priya Sachdev, with whom he has a six-year-old son, as well as two children from a previous marriage.
The day of Kapur’s death coincided with a devastating Air India jet crash near London, which claimed the lives of all but one of the 242 passengers onboard, as well as several people on the ground, marking one of the worst modern aviation disasters.
In his final social media post, Kapur expressed sorrow over the crash, writing: “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.”