Radhikaraje Gaekwad is regarded as one of the most progressive Maharanis in India. She is married to Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, the honorary Maharaja of Baroda and a royal descendant of the Gaekwad dynasty. Radhikaraje is deeply passionate about heritage conservation and actively promotes the revival of traditional textiles. Her efforts and influence have earned her a feature in MillionaireAsia magazine.
Hailing from the royal family of Wankaner State, Radhikaraje married into the Baroda royal family. The couple resides in the magnificent Lakshmi Vilas Palace, also known as the Baroda Palace. Valued at approximately Rs. 25,000 crore, it is considered the most expensive private residence in the world. The palace is said to be four times larger than Britain’s Buckingham Palace and even makes Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia seem modest in comparison.
Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, apart from his royal duties, is also a former cricketer and cricket administrator. He represented his state in the Ranji Trophy. His family has ruled Baroda since the early 1700s, and after the passing of his father, Maharaja Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad, Samarjitsinh officially became Maharaja in 2012. Following a 2013 family settlement, he inherited the Lakshmi Vilas Palace along with a significant portion of the Gaekwad family’s wealth. Since then, he has been living in the palace with Radhikaraje and their family.