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Subrata Roy Sahara Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth10 June 1948

Age75 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceAraria, Bihar, India

ProfessionIndustrialist

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSwapna Roy

FamilySons: Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy

Subrata Roy Sahara Biography

Subrata Roy Sahara (10 June 1948 – 14 November 2023) was an Indian industrialist who founded and led Sahara India Pariwar, a wide‑ranging conglomerate with

Early life and background

Subrata Roy was born on 10 June 1948 in Araria, Bihar. He attended Holy Child School in Kolkata for his early education and later studied at the Government Technical Institute in Gorakhpur, graduating in mechanical engineering. His family roots remained connected to Araria, which is listed as his hometown.

Career

Roy began his business journey in the late 1970s. In 1978 he established Sahara India Pariwar as a small concern in Gorakhpur. Over time he took direct charge of the company and oversaw its expansion from a handful of employees into a large conglomerate operating across multiple industries.

Under Roy’s leadership, Sahara India Pariwar diversified into financial services, real estate and construction, mass media and entertainment, retailing, IT services and outsourcing, hospitality, healthcare, education, and automobile manufacturing. The group launched Sahara TV (later renamed Sahara One) and pursued projects such as large township developments described as Sahara City. By the 2000s the business had grown into one of India’s major private employers, reporting a workforce of more than a million employees and thousands of establishments across the country.

Sahara’s activities included consumer services and products as well as corporate ventures. The company also sponsored the Indian national cricket team for an extended period from 2002 to 2013. In later years, the group introduced an electric vehicle brand, Sahara Evols.

Public profile

Roy was widely recognized in Indian business circles and received numerous awards and honors over several decades. Those accolades included business and leadership recognitions such as Businessmen of the Year and Best Industrialist awards, a Global Leadership Award, and an ITA Television Icon award. He was also given academic honors including an honorary doctorate in business leadership from the University of East London and a D.Litt. from Lalit Narayan Mithila University.

He authored several books on personal and social themes, publishing titles that focused on wellbeing, values and life guidance. His writing appeared alongside the broader public activities of Sahara India, which reported having a substantial retail and depositor base across India.

Personal life

Roy was married to Swapna Roy, who is listed with a leadership role in personnel and welfare at the group. The couple had two sons, Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy. His parents are recorded as Sudhir Chandra Roy and Chhabi Roy.

Later years and death

In November 2023 Subrata Roy’s health declined after a prolonged illness. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai on 12 November 2023, and he died there on 14 November 2023 from cardiorespiratory arrest. He was 75 years old at the time of his death.

Legacy

Roy left behind a conglomerate that he had built over several decades from modest beginnings. Sahara India Pariwar grew from a single establishment into an organization with diverse operations and a large workforce, and it remained a significant presence in India’s corporate landscape through its many businesses and public initiatives.

Latest updates

Following his death in November 2023, details around his illness and final hospitalization were publicly reported. The company he founded continues to be noted for its scale, its historical role as a major employer, and its expansive footprint across services and industries.
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Recent Work

Life Mantras

A book by Subrata Roy focusing on guidance for living (February 2016)

2016
Think With Me

A book by Subrata Roy offering reflections and ideas (December 2016)

2016
Shanti, Sukh: Santushti

Essays on peace of mind and happy living (1994)

1994
Maan, Samman, Atmasamman

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Career Highlights

  1. Founded Sahara India Pariwar in 1978 and expanded it into a multinational conglomerate
  2. Launched Sahara TV (renamed Sahara One) and developed Sahara City township projects
  3. Sahara India Pariwar became one of India’s largest employers with operations across numerous sectors
  4. Longtime sponsor of the Indian national cricket team (2002–2013)
  5. Recipient of multiple national and international business and leadership awards, and honorary academic degrees
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Subrata Roy Sahara born?

10 June 1948

What is Subrata Roy Sahara known for?

Industrialist

What is Subrata Roy Sahara’s marital status?

Married

Who is Subrata Roy Sahara married to?

Swapna Roy