Gopichand Hinduja, the leader of the wealthiest family in the UK, has passed away at 85 years old. He succumbed to a lengthy illness in London on Tuesday, as confirmed by a representative.
This year, the family topped the rankings in the Sunday Times Rich List, boasting a combined fortune of £35.3 billion. Their business empire encompasses various sectors such as banking, oil, real estate, and entertainment.
Popularly known as ‘GP’, Gopichand Hinduja co-ran the family business alongside his brother Srichand, who passed away in 2023. The siblings relocated from India to London during the 1970s, expanding the Hinduja Group’s footprint.
Among their notable early acquisitions were Gulf Oil, acquired from the American oil giant Chevron in 1984, and the Ashok Leyland group, purchased in 1987.
Gopichand Hinduja commenced his career within the family enterprise in Mumbai in 1959. His role in the Hinduja Group’s development is recognized on their official website, hailing him as a key figure in transitioning the business from a regional trading entity to a global conglomerate worth billions.
Revered as the “visionary” behind the Hinduja Group’s forays into the energy and infrastructure sectors, he championed initiatives to enhance the group’s power generation capabilities in India.
Having graduated from Jai Hind College in Bombay in 1959, Gopichand Hinduja also received honorary degrees, including a Doctorate of Law from the University of Westminster and a Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London.
He is survived by his wife, Sunita, and their children – sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter Rita.
