Prince William’s polo-playing pal Sunjay Kapur, a well-known Indian billionaire and chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, collapsed while playing a match in the UK
10:39, 13 Jun 2025Updated 10:52, 13 Jun 2025
Sunjay Kapur, chairman of Sona Comstar, a global automotive components company, passed away at the age of 53 after suffering a heart attack in the UK
A polo-playing pal of Prince William has died after reportedly swallowing a bee mid-match, triggering a fatal heart attack.
Sunjay Kapur, 53, a well-known Indian billionaire and chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, collapsed while playing polo in England on Thursday. Hours before his death, the British-educated businessman had paid a moving tribute to those killed in the Air India tragedy. In his final post, he wrote: “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.”
Before his death, Kapur was well known for his love of polo and his high-profile marriages. He was once married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, however the marriage ended in acrimony. She later filed a domestic violence plea, stating he once went off to play polo while their son was very ill.
Sunjay Kapur pictured with wife Priya Sachdev Kapur
Kapoor said: “(Sunjay) decided to carry on, leaving me behind to take care of our sick four-month-old son, just to play a Polo match with Prince William. I also realised that he had married me only because I was a famous and successful film star, which would facilitate him to be reported in the press. It came as a surprise that he always wanted to be known in public and be famous, but since he never did any deed worth mentioning, he was not able to garner any attention.”
While playing polo, it is understood the bee stung Kapur in his mouth, potentially triggering anaphylactic shock that caused his heart to stop.
Medical experts say internal stings can be deadly, especially if the person has an undiagnosed allergy. A sting to the throat or airway can cause swelling, airway blockage, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and cardiac arrest. The exact cause of death is still being investigated, but early reports suggest it may have triggered a massive allergic reaction, leading to his sudden collapse.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through both Britain’s polo circles and India’s high society. A regular on the royal polo circuit, Kapur was known to be friendly with the royals and other members of the aristocratic polo set. He often played in exclusive matches held across the UK during the summer season.
“He was full of life, laughing, joking, then gone in an instant,” said one insider.
Born into business royalty, he was the driving force behind Sona Comstar, a global automotive technology firm with operations spanning India, the US, Serbia, Mexico and China.
Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor accused her ex-husband of leaving her and their sick child to play polo with Prince William(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Under his leadership, the company became a key supplier to the booming electric vehicle sector. He served not only as chairman of Sona Comstar but also held top industry positions, including President of the Automotive
Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and Co-Chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Manufacturing Council. Educated at The Doon School, India’s answer to Eton, Kapur later studied business at the University of Buckingham, before completing a prestigious executive programme at Harvard Business School.
Despite his business success, he was no stranger to the celebrity spotlight. As well as being married to Kapoor, with whom he had two children, he also married Priya Sachdev, a former model and fashion entrepreneur.
As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from across the business world. 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.”
Polo was a long-term passion of Sunjay Kapur, who died after being stung by a bee(Image: Jabpromotions/REX/Shutterstock)
Industry colleagues also praised his commitment to innovation and manufacturing excellence. One former associate called him “a titan of Indian industry, taken far too soon.”
A source close to the Kapur family said: “Sunjay was in excellent health. No one could believe what had happened. It’s a shocking reminder of how fragile life can be.”