On June 18, 2025, the world lost a prominent Indian businessman, Sunjay Kapur, who passed away at the age of 53 in London, England. His sudden death shocked many in the business and entertainment worlds. Sunjay was a well-known industrialist, polo player, and the ex-husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor. His life was a mix of success, challenges, and a deep love for sports. This article tells the story of Sunjay Kapur’s life in simple words, covering his early years, education, business achievements, personal life, and tragic end.
Early Life And Family
Sunjay Kapur was born on October 15, 1971, in Delhi, India. His zodiac sign was Libra. He grew up in a wealthy family. His father, Dr. Surinder Kapur, was a pioneer in India’s auto industry. He started the Sona Group, a company that made car parts. Sunjay’s mother was Rani Kapur. He had two sisters, Suparna and Mandira. From a young age, Sunjay was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. His family was well-respected, and their business was famous in India.
Sunjay was a bright child. He loved learning and was good at school. His parents wanted him to get the best education. They sent him to top schools in India. Sunjay studied at The Doon School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from 1984 to 1990. This school was known for its strict discipline and high standards. Later, he joined The Cathedral & John Connon School in Mumbai in 1990. These schools shaped his early life and taught him the value of hard work.
Education Abroad
Sunjay was eager to learn more. He wanted to study business to help his family’s company grow. He went to England for higher studies. From 1993 to 1995, he studied at the University of Buckingham. He earned a degree in Business Administration, focusing on Corporate Strategy and Human Resource Management. This degree helped him understand how to run a company.
Sunjay did not stop learning after his degree. He wanted to improve his skills. From 2003 to 2006, he joined the Birthing of Giants Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. This was a special course for business leaders. Later, from 2011 to 2013, he studied at Harvard Business School in Boston. He completed the Owner President Management Program. These courses made him a strong leader and prepared him to lead his father’s company.
Sunjay Kapur Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunjay Kapur |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Date of Death | June 12, 2025 |
| Place of Death | Windsor, England |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack, possibly due to an allergic reaction after swallowing a bee during a polo match. |
| Nationality | US Citizen. |
| Family | - Father: Dr. Surinder Kapur (Founder of Sona Group) - Mother: Rani Kapur - Sisters: Suparna and Mandira. |
| Education | - The Doon School, Dehradun (1984–1990) - The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai (1990) - University of Buckingham, England (1993–1995), Business Administration (Corporate Strategy & HR Management) - Birthing of Giants, MIT, USA (2003–2006) - Owner President Management, Harvard Business School (2011–2013) |
| Business Career | - Company: Sona Group (Auto parts manufacturing) - CEO, Sona Somic Lemforder Components Ltd., Gurgaon (2003) - Chairman, Sixt India, Sona Mobility Services Ltd. (2006) - Global Chairman, The Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (2007) - Chairman, Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd. (2008) - Managing Director, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. - Chairman, Sona Comstar - Achievements: Grew Sona Comstar into a global company with factories in India, China, Mexico, Serbia, USA; 36% revenue from EV parts; Revenue (2024–25): ₹35.5 billion ($412 million); Net Worth: $1.2 billion. |
| Marriages | - Nandita Mahtani (Fashion Designer, m. 2002–2003) - Karisma Kapoor (Bollywood Actress, m. 2003–2016) - Priya Sachdev (Model/Businesswoman, m. 2017). |
| Children | - Samaira Kapur (daughter, with Karisma) - Kiaan Kapur (son, with Karisma) - Azarias Kapur (son, with Priya) - Safira (adopted daughter, from Priya’s previous marriage). |
| Hobbies | Passionate polo player; owned team Aureus; played with Prince William in England. |
| Polo Contributions | Promoted polo in India; praised by The Doon School for his efforts; led teams to multiple victories |
| Other Roles | Member, Board of Governors, The Doon School; Chaired Sports and IT Committees at The Doon School. |
| Notable Events | - Controversial divorce with Karisma Kapoor (2014–2016) - Allegations of domestic violence and financial disputes - Set up ₹14 crore in bonds for children Samaira and Kiaan - Posted about living boldly on social media on June 12, 2025 - Expressed condolences for Air India crash victims on June 12, 2025 |
| Death Circumstances | Collapsed during Queen’s Cup polo match in Windsor, England; possible allergic reaction after swallowing a bee, leading to heart attack |
| Legacy | Transformed Sona Comstar into a global auto parts leader; major influence in India’s auto industry, especially in EVs; respected in business and sports communities |
Business Career
Sunjay Kapur was a successful businessman. He joined his father’s company, Sona Group, in 2003. The company made parts for cars, like steering systems. Sunjay worked hard to make the company bigger. In 2003, he became the CEO of Sona Somic Lemforder Components Ltd. in Gurgaon. His leadership helped the company grow fast.
In 2006, Sunjay became the chairman of Sixt India, a part of Sona Mobility Services Ltd. He also served as the global chairman of The Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in 2007. This showed his ability to lead on a world stage. In 2008, he took over as chairman of Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd., another company under the Sona Group. He also worked as the Managing Director of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. and later became chairman of Sona Comstar.
After his father’s death in 2015, Sunjay took full control of Sona Comstar. He turned it into a global company. Sona Comstar made parts for electric vehicles and other cars. It had factories in India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the United States. The company employed over 5,000 people. In the year ending March 2025, Sona Comstar earned 35.5 billion rupees ($412 million). About 36% of this came from electric vehicle parts. Sunjay’s vision made Sona Comstar a leader in the auto industry. His net worth was $1.2 billion, making him one of India’s richest people.
Personal Life
Sunjay Kapur’s personal life was often in the news. He married three times. His first marriage was to Nandita Mahtani, a fashion designer, in 2002. They met while studying in London. Their marriage was short and ended in divorce within a year.
In 2003, Sunjay married Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor. Their wedding was a grand Sikh ceremony at Krishna Raj Bungalow in Mumbai. It was a big event covered by many newspapers. The couple had two children: a daughter, Samaira, born on March 11, 2005, and a son, Kiaan, born on March 12, 2010. However, their marriage faced problems. After Kiaan’s birth, Karisma moved to her mother’s house. Rumors of divorce started spreading.
In 2014, Sunjay and Karisma filed for divorce. Their divorce was finalized in 2016. The divorce was not easy. Sunjay made serious allegations against Karisma. He said she married him for money and used their children to gain more wealth. He also claimed she did not let their children meet his family. Karisma filed a domestic violence case against Sunjay and his mother, saying he was abusive. Despite their disputes, they later became friendly for their children’s sake. Sunjay set up bonds worth 14 crore rupees for Samaira and Kiaan.
In 2017, Sunjay married Priya Sachdev, a model and businesswoman. They had a son, Azarias. Sunjay also adopted Priya’s daughter, Safira, from her previous marriage. Priya often shared happy family moments on social media. She once called Sunjay her “better half” and said he filled her life with laughter. Their family attended Samaira’s 18th birthday together, showing their close bond.
Love for Polo
Sunjay was passionate about sports, especially polo. He owned a polo team called Aureus. He loved playing polo and was good at it. He even played with Prince William in England. Polo was a big part of his life. He worked to make the sport more popular and accessible. His school, The Doon School, praised his efforts to promote polo.
On June 12, 2025, Sunjay was playing polo in Windsor, England, at the Queen’s Cup tournament. During the match, he suddenly felt unwell. Witnesses said he told the umpire, “I’ve swallowed something.” Reports suggest he swallowed a bee, which may have stung him and caused an allergic reaction. This led to a heart attack. Despite quick medical help, Sunjay could not be saved. His death shocked his family, friends, and the business world.
Legacy and Impact
Sunjay Kapur’s death left a big void. His company, Sona Comstar, called him a visionary leader. He made the company a global name in the auto industry. The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said he helped the industry grow and prepare for electric vehicles. Sunjay was also a respected member of The Doon School’s board of governors. He chaired its sports and IT committees.
Sunjay’s personal life was complex but meaningful. He loved his children deeply. He stayed connected with Samaira and Kiaan after his divorce. His bond with Priya and their children was strong. Priya’s posts showed a happy family life. Sunjay was known for his kindness and generosity. A friend told a newspaper that he employed many people and made many friends through his polo club.
Final Days
Just before his death, Sunjay shared a post on social media. He wrote about living boldly and not worrying about “what ifs.” He said, “Your time on earth is limited. Leave the ‘what ifs’ to the philosophers and dive headfirst into the ‘why nots’.” This post became viral after his death. Fans called it a sad reminder of how unpredictable life is. On the same day, June 12, 2025, he posted condolences for victims of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. His words showed his caring nature.
Sunjay’s funeral was planned in New Delhi. However, he was a US citizen, which caused legal delays in bringing his body to India. His father-in-law, Ashok Sachdev, said the postmortem was underway. The family waited for paperwork to complete the process.
Conclusion
Sunjay Kapur was more than a businessman. He was a leader, a sports lover, and a family man. His work with Sona Comstar changed the auto industry. His love for polo made him a respected figure in sports. His personal life had ups and downs, but he cared deeply for his children and family. His sudden death at 53 was a tragedy. Sunjay’s story teaches us to live boldly and follow our passions. His legacy will live on through his family, his company, and the lives he touched.