Well-known socialite and philanthropist Parmeshwar Godrej, wife of industrialist Adi Godrej, died at a city hospital on Monday night, following an ailment in the lungs.
Parmeshwar breathed her last at the Breach Candy Hospital, where she had been admitted recently for treatment of a degenerative ailment in the lungs.
Parmeshwar was 70. Apart from Adi, she is survived by three children — Nisaba, Pirojsha and Tanya Dubash. While Nisaba and Tanya are associated with the flagship company Godrej Consumer Products, and son Pirojsha who leads the group’s listed realty arm.
A “style icon” who had been extremely popular in Mumbai’s social circles, Parmeshwar had worked for several social causes. Among the major initiatives in philanthropy was to tie-up with veteran Hollywood actor Richard Gere, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative to combat AIDS through the launch of the ‘Heroes Project’ in 2004.
Parmeshwar had worked briefly as an air-hostess with Air India, before she married industrialist Adi Godrej in 1965. Among other things, she had designed clothes for yesteryear dream girl Hema Malini for a film made by her director-friend Feroze Khan in 1975.
Together with filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor, Parmeshwar had also launched a production house called ‘Starlight’ in 2000. She had also co-produced the Merchant-Ivory production ‘The Perfect Murder’ in 1988.
That she would make an impact on people from different walks of life she would interact with could be gauged from the fact that nobel laureate Amartya Sen had spoken richly about her, calling Parmeshwar Godrej a “brilliant conversationalist” and “wonderful company”.
Prominent among those who mourned the passing away of Parmeshwar was former cricketer and Pakistani politician Imran Khan, who took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to express his condolences.
“Devastated by death of close friend, Parmeshwar Godrej, last night: she was always there for me in my most difficult times. …May her husband Adhi and her children find strength to cope with this loss. (sic),” Imran wrote.
“A woman with solid strength integrity and grace..I cannot believe you are not with us any more Parmeshwar Godrej..Condolences to the family,” actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted.
Former Minister of State with the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications, Milind Deora also expressed his condolences to Adi Godrej and family on Twitter. “Deepest condolences to Adi uncle, Tanya, @ngodrej, Pirojsha & family. Will miss Parmeshwar Godrej, one of the warmest/toughest people I knew,” Deora wrote.