Gopichand Hinduja, head of £35bn empire, dies after long illness
The head of the UK’s wealthiest family has passed away, his family confirmed.
Gopichand Hinduja, 85, endured a prolonged illness and died in London on Tuesday, according to a family spokesperson.
His family stated: ‘He will leave a significant void at the center of our family.
‘He will additionally be remembered for his impressive work.’ The Hinduja family topped the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List for the second consecutive year with a combined net worth of £35.3 billion.
Mr. Hinduja and his family amassed their wealth from the Mumbai-based Hinduja Group, a vast Indian conglomerate with interests in automotive manufacturing, chemicals, oil and gas, real estate, media, healthcare, and more.
His elder brother Srichand passed away in 2023 at the age of 87 after suffering from dementia.
The Hinduja brothers started their careers in their father’s textile and trading businesses in Bombay, India.
It is uncertain who will now assume leadership of the conglomerate, although the youngest brother Ashok oversees its operations throughout India, including the truck manufacturer Ashok Leyland.
The Hindujas also own substantial real estate in London, including several large properties near St James’s Park and Winston Churchill’s Old War Office in Whitehall, which has recently been renovated to feature a hotel.
Mr. Hinduja largely stayed out of the public spotlight but became embroiled in controversy in 2001 during the Hinduja Affair, which led to Lord Peter Mandelson resigning as an MP.
The scandal involved Gopichand writing to Mr. Mandelson about securing a UK passport for his brother Prakash after the Hinduja Foundation – the group’s charitable division – donated £1 million to the Millennium Dome.
Mr. Mandelson resigned as a result, but was later exonerated after an investigation.
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