Richer Than Ambani? This Maharani Lives In A Palace That’s 4x Bigger Than Buckingham!

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When we think of India's royal families today, a few names might come to mind but none shine quite like Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the Maharani of Baroda. Regal, refined, and remarkably rooted in tradition, she commands not only admiration but also a staggering fortune. With her home, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, valued at an astonishing ₹25,000 crore, Radhikaraje is one of the richest women in the country today.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/radhikaraje/

So how did she come to be the custodian of such immense wealth? And how does a woman born into grandeur stay so deeply grounded? Let's explore the fascinating financial legacy of the Maharani of Baroda.

Where Does Radhikaraje Gaekwad Live And How Much Is It Worth?

At the heart of Radhikaraje's jaw-dropping net worth lies Lakshmi Vilas Palace, their primary residence in Vadodara, Gujarat. Not just a royal mansion, but an architectural marvel, the palace is estimated to be worth a staggering ₹25,000 crore, easily overshadowing the famed Antilia residence of Mukesh Ambani in both scale and value.

Built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and designed by British architect Major Charles Mant, the palace spans over 700 acres-that's four times the size of Buckingham Palace. With 170 rooms, sprawling gardens, its own golf course, a horse stable, and a swimming pool, it stands as the most valuable private residence in India, if not the world.

This immense property alone contributes significantly to the Gaekwad family's fortune, placing Radhikaraje at the top tier of India's royal elite in terms of wealth.

What Is The Combined Net Worth Of The Gaekwad Family?

Together with her husband, Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, Radhikaraje oversees an estate worth over ₹20,000 crore. This immense wealth is derived from inherited royal assets, extensive landholdings, and well-managed business ventures.

Samarjitsinh, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer, is also often referred to as India's second richest cricketer, though his fortune is largely royal rather than sporting. Yet it's Radhikaraje's sharp cultural vision and her modern sensibility that have redefined how this fortune is preserved and presented to the world.

How Do Her Sarees Reflect Her Legacy And Her Wealth?

Radhikaraje is not just the keeper of palatial estates, she is also the custodian of an extraordinary saree collection, many of which are ancestral masterpieces. From rare brocades to handwoven silk heirlooms, her sarees are textile treasures.

She has become a quiet force behind reviving royal weaves and forgotten textile traditions of Baroda, lending her influence to heritage projects that not only preserve India's cultural wealth but add to her intangible capital. These efforts, combined with her distinctive regal style, have earned her acclaim in lifestyle and luxury circles, including coverage in MillionaireAsia magazine.

How Did A Royal Grow Up With Such A Simple Life?

What makes Radhikaraje's story truly remarkable is how unassuming her own early years were. Despite her aristocratic lineage, she was raised with humility and independence. Growing up in Delhi, she commuted to school on DTC buses, wore old sarees, and preferred meals served on patravali (traditional leaf plates).

In an interview with Humans of Bombay, she credited this upbringing for shaping her strength and simplicity. At the age of 20, she became a writer at The Indian Express, the first woman in her family to take up a job while her cousins were being married off by 21. Her path was different, and so was her perspective.

That groundedness continues to inform how she stewards the Gaekwad legacy, choosing substance over spectacle, and responsibility over grandeur.

How Does She Balance Tradition And Progress?

In many ways, Radhikaraje Gaekwad is redefining royalty for the modern world. While she honours her heritage through cultural initiatives like the Pink Line Project, the CDS Art Foundation, and Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya, she's also unafraid to challenge outdated traditions.

In a candid revelation, she once shared that she refused to adopt a male heir purely for succession's sake, a bold stance in the context of royal India. "We are not raising our daughters as girls, but as citizens of this country," she said. That declaration speaks volumes about how she views legacy not as a title to be inherited, but as a value to be lived.

Why Is Radhikaraje Gaekwad's Wealth So Unique?

Radhikaraje Gaekwad's net worth isn't merely about figures, it's about living history. From her £180,000 ancestral palace (built in the 19th century) to a modern family fortune crossing ₹20,000 crore, she holds a place that no spreadsheet can quantify.

Her story is a portrait of a woman who walks through the gilded corridors of history in handwoven sarees, with the confidence of someone who knows the true worth of wealth lies in what you preserve, what you pass on, and what you choose to question.

Photo Credit: PTI

A Royal Worth More Than Her Millions

While others flaunt fortune, Radhikaraje Gaekwad lets her legacy speak-quietly powerful, deeply rooted, and impossible to overlook. From the awe-inspiring Lakshmi Vilas Palace to her priceless cultural capital, she stands as a modern-day Maharani whose riches go far beyond gold. Her wealth is vast, but it is her vision that truly makes her royal.