5 things to know about India’s youngest billionaire king, Maharaja Padmanabh Singh

At 20, the king of Jaipur controls a fortune of up to US$2.8 billion and has walked the runway for luxury brands such as Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana

India’s royal family hails from all over the country but Jaipur has a special monarch. The city is beautiful, teeming with imperial palaces that have been built in absolute glory. True to its image, Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, one of its royal residents, represents the family’s wealth and influence. He is just 20, but the young king controls a fortune of between US$697 million and US$2.8 billion, according to Business Insider.

Here are five things you need to know about Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, the youngest monarch of Jaipur

Padmanabh was educated in India, England, New York and Rome


When Padmanabh was four years old, he was sent to Mayo College in Ajmer, which is considered one of the best boarding schools for boys in the country. Then he attended Millfield School in Somerset, Britain. Once finished with schooling, he went on to do a course in liberal arts at New York University. Not only that, he did a course in the history of art at the University of Museology and Arts in Rome too. He is called “Pacho” by his loved ones and friends.

Passion for polo is in his DNA


Polo, known in India and many parts of the world as the “sport of kings”, is also a Padmanabh favourite. Thanks to his polo skills, he has been able to win the Indian Open Polo Cup (he was the youngest winner ever), and has also earned the title of “the youngest ever player” of a World Cup Polo Team.


His unmitigated penchant for the sport has brought him international accolades, and he was offered a membership in both the Federation of International Polo and the Guards Polo Club of Windsor in Britain. Now he can play and hang out with his high-profile buddies, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Padmanabh loves fashion

Fashion defines his overall personality, and he likes to keep his look simple because he believes elegance comes from simplicity. His sartorial flair, therefore, is really impressive. He is a well-known model and has walked the runway for luxury brand names such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and others. The world-renowned photographer Mario Testino often counts him as one of his muses.

He also has one more achievement to his credit: the role of a cavalier at the prestigious event Le Bal for Ava Phillippe, the daughter of famous Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon.

He often travels to beautiful places


Padmanabh enjoys travelling the world and tries to learn about different cultures. One of his favourite beach destinations is Trancoso in Brazil.

When it comes to visiting one of the world’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, he prefers Iran because he has some amazing memories from this country. He believes others should also explore this great nation.

He knows his job well


Although he is surrounded by luxury, he knows what his responsibilities as a young king are. He is an advocate for girls’ education, which his mother, Divya Kumari, and the late grandmother, Rajmata Padmini Devi, have often championed. He educates himself on serious issues such as women’s empowerment, in which the Princess Divya Kumari Foundation is deeply involved. For him, it’s all about keeping the legacy alive.

His other top priority is to ensure the majestic opulence of all the country’s palaces is intact, including the Sujan Rajmahal Palace, since most of them are hotels now. After all, he is the 303rd descendant in the family.

The City Palace in Jaipur is where he stays with his family.