Indian Hospitality Icon Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi Passes Away At 94

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, the visionary corporate hotelier and Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi Group, passed away at the age of 94. Known as ‘Biki,’ he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s hospitality landscape, expanding the iconic Oberoi and Trident hotel chains to comprise 32 hotels.

Born on February 3, 1929, in New Delhi, PRS Oberoi served as the company’s chairman from 1988 until May 2022 when he stepped down due to deteriorating health. Under his leadership, The Oberoi Group evolved into one of India’s premier hotel companies, with its first hotel, ‘The Trident Chennai,’ opening in 1988.

A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and the ‘Corporate Hotelier of the World’ by HOTELS magazine in 2010, PRS Oberoi’s legacy extends globally. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the hospitality industry, marked by a commitment to luxury and excellence.

Survived by three children, including son Vikramjit Singh Oberoi, the Managing Director and CEO of EIH Hotels, PRS Oberoi’s decision not to appoint a successor in 2014 marked the end of two generations at the helm of the Oberoi Empire.

Educated in India, the UK, and Switzerland, PRS Oberoi’s contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Businessman of the Year 2008 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in November 2008.

In October 2005, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), acknowledging his pioneering leadership in establishing The Oberoi Group as a global luxury brand.

His passing represents the conclusion of an era in Indian hospitality, as the Oberoi brand, synonymous with fine luxury hotels, continues to stand as a testament to PRS Oberoi’s enduring legacy in the industry.