Gopichand Hinduja, head of Britain’s wealthiest family, dies at 85

Gopichand Hinduja, head of Britain's wealthiest family, dies at 85

Gopichand Hinduja, the patriarch of Britain's richest family and co-leader of the global Hinduja Group conglomerate, has died at the age of 85, his family announced Wednesday. Known widely as GP, Hinduja played a pivotal role in expanding his father's modest textile business into a multinational empire spanning 11 industries, from finance and oil to media and entertainment.

From modest origins to a global empire

Under Hinduja's leadership, the Hinduja Group grew into one of India's largest private enterprises, employing approximately 200,000 people across 48 countries. The conglomerate's diverse portfolio includes banking, manufacturing, and property, with significant investments bridging the UK and India. Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, described Hinduja as a "great champion" for bilateral ties, noting his ability to integrate British and Indian markets across sectors.

"Whether it was in banking, manufacturing, or property, they were always putting the UK and India together. GP personified that connection," Bilimoria said. "He was not only respected in both countries but a driving force behind their economic partnership. We shall miss him greatly."

Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer

A legacy of wealth and influence

The Hinduja family topped the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £35.3 billion, securing their position as the UK's wealthiest. Globally, they ranked 11th on Forbes' 2024 list of India's 100 richest business figures. Hinduja was the second eldest of four brothers who collectively steered the empire for decades. His eldest brother, Srichand, died in 2023 at 87, leaving the youngest sibling, Ashok, to oversee operations in India, including truck manufacturer Ashok Leyland.

The family's London real estate holdings include luxury properties near St James's Park and the recently refurbished Old War Office in Whitehall, now home to a high-end hotel. Despite their vast influence, the Hindujas maintained a low public profile, though GP Hinduja was drawn into controversy during the 2001 "Hinduja affair."

Controversies and legal challenges

In 2001, Hinduja faced scrutiny after writing to then-government minister Peter Mandelson regarding his brother Prakash's British citizenship application. The letter surfaced amid revelations that the family's charity had donated £1 million to the Millennium Dome project, overseen by Mandelson. Though Mandelson resigned over the incident, a subsequent inquiry cleared him of wrongdoing. More recently, in 2024, Prakash Hinduja, his wife, their son, and daughter-in-law were convicted by a Swiss court for exploiting domestic staff at their Geneva mansion.

Family tributes and an uncertain future

In a statement, the Hinduja family mourned GP as a "formidable" figure whose absence would "leave a deep hole at the heart of our family." His death raises questions about the conglomerate's future leadership, with no immediate successor announced. The youngest brother, Ashok, currently manages the group's Indian operations, but the broader succession plan remains unclear.

"He will be remembered for his formidable work and his unwavering commitment to our family's values," the statement read.

Hinduja family statement