Who is Parag Desai 'Wagh Bakri'? Wiki, Age, Wife, Kids, Family, Net Worth, BIO

Parag Desai was a prominent Indian businessman and the executive director of Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited, the company behind the famous Wagh Bakri tea brand. He was also an expert tea taster, a passionate environmentalist, and a visionary leader who transformed the family business into one of India’s leading packaged tea companies. He died on October 22, 2023, at the age of 49, after suffering a brain hemorrhage due to a freak accident involving street dogs.

Early Life and Family Background

Desai was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, in 1974. He was the son of Rasesh Desai, the managing director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, and a fourth-generation member of the Desai family that founded the tea conglomerate in 1892. He had a keen interest in tea since his childhood and learned the art of tea tasting and blending from his father and grandfather.

Academic Profile

He completed his schooling at St. Xavier’s High School in Ahmedabad and then pursued his graduation from H.L. College of Commerce. He later obtained his MBA degree from Long Island University in New York, USA, where he gained exposure to international markets and business practices.

Career and Achievements

Parag Desai joined the Wagh Bakri Tea Group in 1995 as a sales executive and soon rose to the position of executive director. He was responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing, and export divisions of the company and played a pivotal role in expanding its presence across India and abroad.

Under his leadership, the company’s turnover increased from less than Rs 100 crore in 1995 to over Rs 2,000 crore in 2023. The company also distributed over 50 million kg of tea annually to more than 24 states in India and exported its products to approximately 60 countries.

Parag was instrumental in introducing innovative products and services to cater to the changing preferences and lifestyles of consumers. He launched several sub-brands such as Mili, Good Morning, Navchetan, and Organic Tea under the Wagh Bakri umbrella.

He also pioneered the concept of tea lounges in India, where customers could enjoy a variety of teas and snacks in a cozy and comfortable ambiance. He also strengthened the company’s presence in e-commerce and digital platforms and actively participated in various industry forums such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Parag Desai was not only passionate about tea but also about sustainability and social responsibility. He initiated several projects to conserve water, reduce carbon footprint, promote organic farming, and support education and health initiatives for tea workers and their families. He was also an avid traveler and wildlife enthusiast who loved to explore new places and cultures.

Family Members

  • Desai’s father is Rasesh Desai, who is the managing director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, one of India’s leading packaged tea companies. He is also a third-generation member of the Desai family that founded the tea conglomerate in 1892. He has been instrumental in shaping the vision and strategy of the group and has been awarded several accolades for his achievements in the tea industry.
  • Parag’s mother is not mentioned in the web search results, but according to a Facebook post by Vidisha Desai3, her name is Nita Desai and she celebrated her 70th birthday on September 9, 2023. She is also seen in several pictures with her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter on social media.
  • Parag does not seem to have any siblings, as none of them are mentioned in the web search results or his social media accounts. He was the only son of Rasesh Desai and the sole heir of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group. He was also very close to his father and often accompanied him on business trips and meetings.

Parag Desai’s Spouse: Vidisha Desai

Parag Desai’s wife is Vidisha Desai, who is also involved in the tea business. She is the director of Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited, the company behind the Wagh Bakri tea brand. She is also a director of Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge Private Limited, a subsidiary of the company that operates tea lounges across India.

Vidisha Desai is a graduate of H.L. College of Commerce in Ahmedabad and holds a diploma in fashion design from NIFT, Delhi. She is also a trained classical dancer and has performed at various events. Vidisha Desai is active on social media and often shares pictures of her family, travels, and hobbies on her Facebook and Instagram accounts. She also posts about the achievements and initiatives of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group and expresses her pride and admiration for her husband’s work.

Daughter: Parisha Desai

Parag Desai’s daughter is Parisha Desai, who is studying abroad. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA. Parisha is also interested in tea and has learned the art of tea tasting and blending from her father and grandfather. 

She has accompanied them on several trips to tea estates and factories in India and abroad. Parisha Desai is also fond of music, dance, photography, and travel. She has participated in various cultural events and competitions at the school and college level. She also shares her experiences and passions on her social media accounts.

Death Cause and Tributes

Parag Desai met with a tragic end on October 22, 2023, when he succumbed to a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall outside his residence in Ahmedabad. According to reports, he was attacked by a pack of street dogs while he was on his morning walk near Iscon Ambli Road on October 15.

He tried to fend off the dogs but slipped and hit his head on the pavement. He was rushed to a nearby hospital by a security guard who alerted his family about the incident. He underwent surgery but his condition deteriorated over time and he passed away after being on ventilator support for a few days.

His death came as a shock to his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers who expressed their grief and condolences on various platforms. Shaktisinh Gohil, Gujarat Congress chief, and Rajya Sabha member tweeted, “Very sad news coming in.

Desai, Director and owner of Wagh Bakri Tea passed away. He had a brain hemorrhage following a fall. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to the entire Wagh Bakri family across India.” Many others also remembered him for his contributions to the tea industry and society at large.

Parag Desai Wagh Bakri Wiki, Biodata

NameParag Desai
Date of Birth1974
Age49 years old (at the time of death)
Place of BirthAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
Date of DeathOctober 22, 2023
Place of DeathAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
Cause of DeathBrain hemorrhage due to a fall after being attacked by street dogs
OccupationExecutive Director of Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited (Wagh Bakri Tea Group)
EducationMBA from Long Island University, USA
FatherRasesh Desai
MotherMrs. Desai
WifeVidisha Desai
ChildrenParisha Desai
Net WorthINR 10-12 Crores (approx.)
Facebookparag.desai.7777
Instagram#paragdesai
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Net Worth & Income

Parag Desai’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but it can be estimated based on his position and the performance of his company. As per an estimate, his net worth is around INR 10-12 crores (approx.). As the executive director of Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited, the company behind the Wagh Bakri tea brand, he was responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing, and exports division of the company and played a pivotal role in expanding its presence across India and abroad.

Under his leadership, the company’s turnover increased from less than Rs 100 crore in 1995 to over Rs 2,000 crore in 2023. The company also distributed over 50 million kg of tea annually to more than 24 states in India and exported its products to approximately 60 countries. 

According to a report by Wallmine, Parag Desai’s total compensation as the senior vice president of Genesco, a footwear and accessories retailer, was $1,728,740 in 2020. Therefore, it can be assumed that Parag had a substantial net worth from his income sources in the tea and retail sectors.

Trivia

  • He was an expert tea taster and evaluator who could distinguish between different types and grades of tea by their aroma, flavor, color, and appearance.
  • Parag was a visionary leader who transformed the Wagh Bakri Tea Group from a regional player to a national and international brand with a loyal customer base and a strong distribution network.
  • Desai was a passionate environmentalist who initiated several projects to conserve water, reduce carbon footprint, promote organic farming, and support education and health initiatives for tea workers and their families.
  • Parag was an avid traveler and wildlife enthusiast who loved to explore new places and cultures. He visited several countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.
  • Desai was fond of music, movies, sports, and reading. He enjoyed listening to Bollywood songs, watching Hollywood films, playing cricket and badminton, and reading books on history and biographies.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrKynspmle6S7zGiuoqOZZL2ivsCgZJ2do5a2bsPAoJ9mmpGgv6p7