Radhikaraje Gaekwad: Radhikaraje Gaekwad is one of the most progressive Maharani of India. She is the wife of royal scion of the Gaekwad dynasty honorary Maharaja of Baroda , Samarjitsinh Gaekwad. Radhikaraje Gaekwad is an expert in heritage conservation and a champion of textile revival. She has also been featured in MillionaireAsia magazine. She hailed from the royal family of Wankaner State and is married to the Maharaja. The Palace that they live in an extra ordinary place which is considered to be most expensive private home in the world with a worth of Rs 25000 crore. The palace named as ‘Lakshmi Vilas Palace,’ which is also known as Baroda palace is supposed to be four times bigger than Britain’s royal Buckingham Palace. Lakshmi Vilas is the ancestral home of the Gaekwad royals, the erstwhile rulers of Gujarat’s Vadodara (then Baroda).
Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad- Radhikaraje Gaekwad’s husband
Radhikaraje Gaekwad’s husband, Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, is a cricket administrator and a former cricketer who has represented his state in the Ranji Trophy. As for his royal connections, the Gaekwad family has ruled Baroda since the early 18th century. Samarjitsinh succeeded his father, Maharaja Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad, to the throne after his father’s passing. In 2012, he was officially crowned Maharaja at the Lakshmii Vilas Palace. Samarjitsinh Gaekwad received the palace along with a massive Gaekwad family fortune in a 2013 settlement, and has since been living there with his Radhikaraje Gaekwad, and other family members.
All About 187 room Lakshmi Vilas Palace
After the 2013 settlement with his uncle, Sangramsinh Gaekwad, his massive wealth included the 187-room Lakshmi Vilas Palace, 600 acres of real estate, including Moti Bagh Stadium and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, paintings of Raja Ravi Verma and other royal belongings. Furthermore, under his Lakshmi Vilas Banquets venture, Samarjitsinh opened a section of the palace complex as a banquet facility for private ceremonies. Currently, he manages 17 temple trusts in Gujarat and Banaras.
World’s Largest Private Residence
Samarjitsinh has been married to Radhikaraje since 2002. The couple has two daughters: Padmajaraje, who is studying for her A levels in the UK, and Narayaniraje, a Class 10 student. The family, including Samarjitsinh’s mother, Rajmata Shubhanginiraje, lives together in the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, India’s largest private residence. This magnificent home, a symbol of the Gaekwad heritage, is four times the size of Buckingham Palace.
How big is the Lakshmi Vilas Palace?
According to various reports, The four-storey Lakshmi Vilas Palace spans 700 acres and boasts 170 rooms, all originally intended for the Maharaja and Maharani’s use. The palace is surrounded by exquisite, meticulously designed gardens, which were envisioned and created by the renowned botanist Sir William Goldring. In addition, the estate features a large horse stable, a swimming pool, and even a private golf course. The expansive palace’s design is credited to British engineer Major Charles Mant, who is considered its principal architect.
Even Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia, one of the most luxurious homes in Asia, pales in comparison to the grandeur of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. The palace has a section open to tourists, with an entry fee of Rs. 150. For those wanting to explore the museum within, there is an additional charge of Rs. 60. Interestingly, a red light is switched on whenever the Maharaja is present in the palace, signaling his presence.
Net Worth
According to a report by ETNow, the estimated value of Lakshmi Vilas Palace is expected to surpass Rs 25,000 crore, according to a Housing.com report. In comparison, Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia is valued at Rs 15,000 crore, making the historic palace the most opulent residence in India. Although the net worth of Gaekwad is not publicly disclosed, reports suggest that it is an impressive Rs. 20,000 crores.
