The head of Britain's richest family, Gopichand Hinduja, has died aged 85.
Known as GP, Mr. Hinduja and his family made their fortune from the Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group, which operates in 11 sectors including finance, media and entertainment, and oil.
It employs approximately 200,000 staff across the globe.
In a statement, the family expressed, He will leave a deep hole at the heart of our family, highlighting the profound impact he had during his lifetime.
They further noted that he would be remembered for his formidable work, having transformed a modest textile and trading business into one of India's largest conglomerates.
Mr. Hinduja topped the most recent Sunday Times Rich List with a staggering net worth of £35.3 billion and was ranked 11th on Forbes' list of India's 100 richest businesspeople in 2024.
As the second eldest of four brothers who have led the business for decades, his legacy comes at a time of transition within the family enterprise. The eldest brother, Srichand, passed away in 2023 at the age of 87, raising uncertainties about the future leadership of the conglomerate, currently run by the youngest brother, Ashok, who oversees operations in India.
In addition to their business holdings, the Hinduja family possesses significant real estate investments in London, with notable properties in proximity to St. James's Park.
Although Mr. Hinduja maintained a low public profile, he was involved in the infamous Hinduja affair in 2001, which led to the resignation of Lord Peter Mandelson as an MP after controversially engaging in matters surrounding his brother’s citizenship.
On a darker note, Mr. Hinduja's brother Prakash and his family faced legal troubles last year, having been jailed for exploiting domestic staff in their Geneva residence.
