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India.com

21-06-2025

There was a time when Vijaypat Singhania was one of the most well-known and respected businessmen in India. He was not just rich, he was a symbol of success, power, and fame. People looked up to him as an example of what it meant to be truly wealthy and influential. But life took a painful turn. Today, at the age of 86, Vijaypat lives alone in a small rented flat in Mumbai, far away from the luxury and status he once had. Made Raymond a global name
Vijaypat Singhania was born into the famous Singhania business family. His uncle, G.K. Singhania, had started the Raymond Group, but it was Vijaypat who turned the brand into a global success.
He became the chairman of Raymond in 1980 and led the company until 2000. Under his leadership, Raymond became one of the top names in premium suiting fabric not only in India but around the world.
He gave Raymond its iconic identity as 'The Complete Man', a campaign that made the brand relatable and aspirational. A true business legend
Vijaypat built an empire worth thousands of crores and made Raymond a brand that every Indian was proud of. But despite his huge success, things didn't end well for him personally. Disputes within the family and changes in business control left him with little to his name. A Father-son relationship gone sour
The turning point in Vijaypat Singhania's life came when he tried to divide his business between his two sons, Gautam and Madhupati. Madhupati had already moved to Singapore and stepped away from the business. In 2015, Vijaypat transferred his shares and control of Raymond Group to his son, Gautam Singhania, believing it was the right step for the family business. However, this decision backfired as a bitter dispute erupted between father and son.
After getting control of the business, Gautam slowly began distancing his father from company matters. In 2018, Vijaypat was removed as Chairman Emeritus of Raymond, severing his ties with the company he once built. What hurt even more was that Vijaypat was eventually asked to leave his ancestral home where he had spent much of his life.
This is the same man who once owned private jets, luxury bungalows, and had an army of staff at his service. Today, he lives all by himself in a small rented apartment in Mumbai. An award-winning aviator
Many people know Vijaypat Singhania as the man behind the success of Raymond, but few know that he is also a professional aviator. His love for flying came from none other than JRD Tata, the legendary founder of the Tata Group and a pioneer in Indian aviation.
Vijaypat broke records and earned national honors. In 1994, he made a world record by flying a hot air balloon to a height of 69,852 feet above sea level. His passion earned him the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2001, followed by the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2006.
That same year, he was also appointed as the Sheriff of Mumbai, and the Indian Air Force honored him with the title of Honorary Air Commodore. No regret about life, but…
Even after all the ups and downs in his life, Vijaypat believes that money is never permanent and what truly lasts are a person's values and actions.
In a heartfelt interview, he admitted that he deeply regrets trusting his son and giving away all his wealth. That decision cost him not just money, but also family and peace. Today, he finds himself completely alone.
But despite the heartbreak, he still sees himself as a fighter. He says, 'I've seen everything in life…. the top and the bottom. What I've learned, no business school can teach.'
While Vijaypat now leads a modest life, his son Gautam Singhania enjoys an ultra-luxurious lifestyle. Gautam owns JK House, a towering mansion worth Rs. 6,000 crore (USD 81 million), located on Mumbai's Altamount Road, just beside Mukesh Ambani's Antilia—one of the world's most expensive homes.