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Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 13, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth3 February 1929

Age94 (at time of death)

BirthplaceNew Delhi, India

ProfessionHotelier, Businessman

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidower (at time of death)

SpouseGoldie Oberoi

FamilySon: Vikram S. Oberoi; Daughters: Natasha, Anastasia Mirjana Jojic Oberoi; Father: Mohan Singh Oberoi

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi Biography

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi (3 February 1929 – 14 November 2023) was an Indian hotelier and businessman who led The Oberoi Group and helped establish it as a卓

Early life and background

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi was born on 3 February 1929 in New Delhi. He grew up moving between hill stations and cities in pre‑ and post‑partition India and Pakistan, including Shimla, Bhaun, Lahore and Delhi. The family’s life in hotels during his childhood gave him an early and intimate exposure to the hospitality world.

His schooling included St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling, and he later attended a college in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he completed a degree in hotel management after leaving studies in chartered accountancy and law.

Career

After gaining experience in luxury hotels across Europe, Oberoi returned to India in 1955 and joined the family business, The Oberoi Group. His first major assignment was managing the Grand Hotel in Calcutta. Over subsequent decades he helped expand the group’s footprint in India and overseas, working alongside his father, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, and his brother.

Oberoi favoured building new hotels rather than growing primarily through acquisition. He launched the Trident brand in 1988 with a five‑star hotel in Chennai and later developed a series of signature luxury properties such as The Oberoi Rajvilas near Jaipur, Udaivilas in Udaipur, Amarvilas in Agra, Vanyavilas at Ranthambhore and Wildflower Hall in Shimla. These properties contributed to positioning The Oberoi Group on the international luxury travel map.

In 2002 he became Chairman of EIH Limited following his father’s death, a role he held until 2013. He also served as Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group until his death in 2023, and was a director of multiple Oberoi group companies across hotel operations, real estate and finance. He joined the board of Jet Airways (India) Limited as a director on 29 March 2004.

Oberoi’s leadership won wide recognition within the hospitality industry. Over the years he received numerous lifetime achievement awards from international and Indian institutions, and national honours acknowledging his contribution to luxury hospitality. Among these were awards from international hotel investment forums and travel market organizations, as well as a high civilian honour from the Government of India in 2008.

Public profile

Known in business circles by nicknames such as Biki Oberoi and PRS Oberoi, he was described by industry publications as a defining figure in modern Indian luxury hospitality. He followed a clear philosophy about standards and detail in luxury, emphasising precise design, lighting and finishes. He was also recognised on lists that highlighted influential figures in global hospitality.

Oberoi maintained personal interests outside his professional responsibilities; he enjoyed rearing horses and was a frequent smoker of Cuban cigars. He was often noted for his disciplined daily routine and for a lifelong commitment to the mantra that his company should aim “to be the best, not the biggest.”

Personal life and family

Prithvi Raj Oberoi was the son of hotelier Mohan Singh Oberoi and Ishran Devi. He married Goldie (Goodie) Oberoi in 1959 and the couple had children including a son, Vikram S. Oberoi, who served as Joint Managing Director of The Oberoi Group, and daughters Natasha and Anastasia Mirjana Jojic Oberoi. His brother Raj Tilak Singh Oberoi (known as Tikki) was also active in the family business.

Later years and death

Oberoi remained active in the group’s affairs into his later years and continued to hold directorships in several group companies. On 3 May 2022 he resigned as Chairman and Director of EIH Limited, and leadership transitioned to his nephew Arjun Singh Oberoi.

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi died peacefully on the morning of 14 November 2023 at his farmhouse‑cum‑office on the outskirts of Delhi at the age of 94. The family announced his passing and his funeral was held the same day at the Bhagwanti Oberoi Charitable Trust, Oberoi Farm, Kapashera.

Latest updates

At the time of his death he was Executive Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi Group and remained one of the most recognised figures in Indian hospitality. His legacy includes a portfolio of highly regarded luxury hotels and a long list of industry accolades that reflect his role in shaping luxury hotel standards in India.
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Recent Work

Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group

Led development of The Oberoi Group’s luxury hotels and served as Executive Chairman until his death in 2023.

Until 2023
Chairman, EIH Limited

Appointed chairman in 2002 after his father’s death; served until 2013 and resigned as chairman and director in 2022.

2002–2013; resigned 2022
Director, Jet Airways (India) Limited

Served as a director beginning 29 March 2004.

2004
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Career Highlights

  1. Developed signature luxury properties including The Oberoi Rajvilas, Udaivilas, Amarvilas, Vanyavilas and Wildflower Hall
  2. Launched the Trident brand in 1988
  3. Appointed Chairman of EIH Limited in 2002
  4. Received numerous lifetime achievement awards and a high civilian honour from the Government of India in 2008
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi born?

3 February 1929

What is Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi known for?

Hotelier, Businessman

What is Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi’s marital status?

Widower (at time of death)

Who is Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi married to?

Goldie Oberoi