Bee kills billionaire ex-husband of Bollywood actress during polo game in UK
Sunjay Kapur, 53, was the chairman of global automotive firm Sona Comstar
DUBAI: Indian billionaire Sunjay Kapur, 53, has died after reportedly swallowing a bee during a polo match in England, triggering a fatal cardiac arrest.
The high-profile industrialist, who was the chairman of Sona Comstar and former husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, collapsed mid-game on Thursday.
The shocking nature of his death – believed to be caused by an internal bee sting – has stirred widespread attention across elite polo circles and India's business world.
— Sona Comstar (@sonacomstar) June 13, 2025
Who was Sunjay Kapur?
Kapur, known for his love of polo and friendships with British royals including Prince William, had just shared a social media tribute to victims of the Air India crash hours before his sudden death.
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. ???? #planecrash
— Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) June 12, 2025
His final post expressed condolences and prayers for affected families. The tragic news comes as a grim punctuation to a life lived at the intersection of fame, business, and aristocratic sporting culture.
Progress demands bold choices, not perfect conditions. #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/vapd8KkOuU
— Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) June 9, 2025
Educated at The Doon School, the University of Buckingham, and later Harvard Business School, Kapur headed Sona Comstar – a global automotive technology firm operating in the US, India, China, Mexico and beyond. He was also a prominent figure in Indian industry bodies such as ACMA and the CII Manufacturing Council.
Sunjay Kapur’s personal life was often under media scrutiny, especially during and after his tumultuous marriage to Karisma Kapoor. The couple, who had two children, parted ways amid allegations of domestic discord. He later married Priya Sachdev, a former model and fashion entrepreneur.
Sunjay Kapur, Karisma Kapoor’s ex-husband, passed away after a heart attack during a polo match.
— MissMalini (@MissMalini) June 13, 2025
Just 2 hours before, he mourned the #planecrash victims.
Life is so uncertain — one moment you grieve, next moment you’re gone. ????#SunjayKapur #KarishmaKapoor pic.twitter.com/wfSxHZRgxb
Probe and tributes
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that a bee sting to the airway may have triggered a sudden and deadly allergic reaction.
Actor-couple #SaifAliKhan and #KareenaKapoor were papped at #KarismaKapoor's residence on Thursday night. Businessman and ex-husband of Karisma, #SunjayKapur, passed away on Thursday night following a heart attack.
— HT City (@htcity) June 13, 2025
Video #PallavPaliwal pic.twitter.com/K0dl1nnvro
Tributes continue to pour in from global business leaders and sports circles, mourning the untimely loss of a towering industrial figure.