Billionaire Dies of Shock After Swallowing Bee During Polo Match

Foreign Media Suspect Acute Allergic Reaction
"If the Sting Area Swells, It Can Also Cause Airway Obstruction"

Sunjay Kapoor, Chairman of the Indian auto parts manufacturer Sona Comstar, has died of a heart attack after being stung by a bee. Kapoor was a billionaire with a net worth exceeding 1 trillion won.

According to reports from Forbes and other foreign media on June 17 (local time), Sona Comstar announced in a statement on June 13 that Chairman Kapoor had passed away. Kapoor reportedly suffered a severe allergic reaction after swallowing a bee while playing polo in the United Kingdom, which ultimately led to his death. The cause of death was reported as a heart attack.

In this regard, the British daily The Telegraph reported, "There is a possibility that an anaphylactic shock (acute allergic reaction) occurred after being stung by a bee inside his mouth," adding, "There are reports that this may have caused the heart attack."

Sunjay Kapoor, Chairman of Sona Comstar. Photo by X Capture

Indian media outlets also linked the bee sting to the heart attack. Citing expert opinions, the local media Times of India explained, "Most people experience only mild pain, swelling, or itching after a bee sting, but for some who are allergic, it can lead to severe shock. If a bee stings the inside of the throat, such as the pharynx or tongue, the area can swell rapidly, which may cause airway obstruction."

The report further stated, "Especially for those with allergies, symptoms can include hives, swelling of the face and abdomen, difficulty breathing, and even sudden cardiac arrest."

Born in 1971, Chairman Kapoor studied business administration at the prestigious University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and succeeded his father, Surinder Kapoor, as chairman of Sona Comstar in 2015. According to Forbes, his net worth this year was $1.2 billion (approximately 1.633 trillion won), ranking him 2,703rd among the world's billionaires.

Sona Comstar, which he led, is a global auto parts manufacturer headquartered in Gurugram, India, with a particular focus on electric vehicle (EV) business as its growth engine. The company operates a total of 12 production facilities in India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the United States, directly creating 5,000 jobs.