21 hours ago
Billionaire entrepreneur and pal of Prince William dies after swallowing bee during polo game
A 'visionary' leader who ran a global car parts firm and was pals with Prince William has died after suffering a fatal heart attack triggered by a bee sting.
Sunjay Kapur, 53, the billionaire chairman of Sona Comstar, collapsed after swallowing the insect during a polo game in England in front of horrified teammates.
It's believed the Indian-born entrepreneur went in to anaphylactic shock after swallowing the bee and being stung in the mouth.
Bee sting: Tributes have been paid to the businessman who died on Thursday
It happened at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, west of London.
Kapur had hours earlier paid tribute online to the victims of Thursday's Air India plane crash.
He posted: '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.'
In a statement, Sona Comstar said: 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden demise of our Chairman, Mr Sunjay Kapur.
'He was a visionary leader whose passion, insight and dedication shaped the identity and success of our company.'
Author and actor Suhel Seth posted on X: 'Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur: he passed away earlier today in England.
'A terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues.'
Kapur's former wife, Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, has previously spoken in interviews about him playing polo with the Prince of Wales.
The University of Buckingham graduate was married to Priya Sachdev Kapur, a former model and entrepreneur with whom he had a son named Azarias Kapur born in 2018.
Kapur died as his Aureus team was playing in a semi-final match in the Cartier Queen's Cup against Sujan Indian Tigers.
The match started at 3pm on Thursday at the club's Smith's Lawn grounds.
The club is closely associated with the British royal family. Prince Philip was the club's president from its founding in January 1955 until his death in April 2021 - holding the role for 66 years. King Charles became the club's new president last year.
In a statement the club said its chairman Lieutenant Colonel Sean O'Dwyer along with 'directors and members' were 'shocked to learn that Sunjay Kapur, owner of the Aureus polo team, died after becoming unwell when playing in a match at Smith's Lawn.'
The statement added: 'The club sends its deepest condolences to his widow, Priya Sachdev, his children, the wider Kapur family and his Aureus teammates.'
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the sports governing body in the UK, said: 'The HPA is enormously sad to confirm that Sunjay Kapur, patron of the Aureus Polo Team, passed away during a match at Guards on Thursday, 12 June.
'The incident was not playing-related and no further details will be released at this time.
'As the governing body, the HPA are supporting those involved and our thoughts are with Sunjay's wife Priya, his family, and the team at this time, and we kindly request that their privacy is respected.'
Following news of his death, Ashoka University, in the Indian capital New Delhi, posted online: 'Ashoka University mourns the passing away of Sunjay Kapur, Chairman, Sona Comstar and a valued member of the Ashoka fraternity.
'A prominent figure in India's business community, he will be remembered for his leadership.
'Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.'
And the Doon School in India - hailed as the country's equivalent to Eton - said it was 'deeply saddened' by the death of one of its former pupils.
A statement shared online described Kapur as 'a passionate fitness and sport enthusiast and a learner for life' who 'worked to make polo more accessible beyond its traditional roots.'
The school added: 'Mr Kapur's enduring commitment to excellence, service, and community leaves a lasting legacy.
'The Doon School family extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.'
Kapur has been described as a regular on the polo circuit favored by the royal family.
His global automotive company Sona Comsta, with operations across India, the U.S., China, Mexico and Serbia, provides key electric vehicle industry supplies.
Kapur's other positions included being president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and co-chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry's Manufacturing Council.
The Guards Club has been described as 'the most prestigious polo club in the world,' and members of the royal family including King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry have frequently played there.
It was originally named the Household Brigade Polo Club and British Army officers of the Household Division regiments were traditionally exempt from paying its joining fee, which today stands at roughly $60,000
It changed its name in 1969 then became 'a fully civilian club' in 2000 and is now the largest polo club in Europe in terms of membership and number of grounds.
The club hosts around 600 games a year with its season starting in April each year and finishing in mid September.
