You’ve probably heard the name Arun Nayar before, right? Maybe you remember him from those fancy wedding photos with Elizabeth Hurley that were all over the magazines back in 2007. But here’s the thing – there’s so much more to this guy than just being a celebrity’s ex-husband.
Arun Nayar is actually a pretty successful British-Indian businessman who’s made his own fortune in the tech world. Born in December 1964 in Leeds, England, this man has built a career that most people only dream about. With a net worth sitting around $200 million, he’s definitely doing something right.
What’s interesting about Arun is that he’s not your typical flashy rich guy. He keeps things low-key, stays off social media, and just quietly runs his business empire. Let me tell you his whole story – from growing up between England and India to building a massive tech company, and yes, we’ll talk about those famous marriages too.
Growing Up: Arun Nayar’s Early Days
A Mixed Heritage That Shaped Him
Arun’s story starts with a pretty unique family background. His dad, Vinod Nayar, was Indian, and his mom, Gunnar Nayar, was German. This mix of cultures really shaped who he became – someone who could easily fit into different worlds and understand various business cultures.
The family started out living on a council estate in Leeds while his father was studying at university. Nothing fancy, just regular working-class life. But things changed when Arun’s younger brother Nikhil was born. The whole family packed up and moved to Mumbai, India.
Split Between Two Worlds
After his parents split up, Arun and his brother stayed mostly with their mom in Mumbai. And here’s where things get interesting – his mother wasn’t just any mom. She built one of India’s biggest textile companies from scratch. Talk about a strong role model, right?
Arun went to Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, which is like the Harvard of Indian schools. But teenage Arun was apparently a bit of a handful. He got into enough trouble that at 16, his family sent him back to England to attend Millfield Boarding School in Somerset. Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a kid needs.
The Education That Changed Everything
From Troublemaker to Top Student
The strict British boarding school environment really turned things around for Arun. He buckled down, focused on his studies, and discovered he was actually brilliant. Like, really brilliant.
He ended up getting into Oxford University – yeah, THE Oxford – where he studied Physics at Christ Church College. But he didn’t stop there. After finishing at Oxford, he went on to get his Master’s degree in Physics from Imperial College London. That’s not just impressive, that’s insane.
Think about it – going from being sent away for bad behavior to earning degrees from two of the world’s best universities. That takes serious dedication.
A Guy Who Speaks Four Languages
Oh, and did I mention Arun speaks four languages? English, Hindi, German, and Italian. When you’re doing business all over the world, that’s not just cool – it’s incredibly useful. He can jump on calls with partners in Germany, negotiate deals in Italy, and manage teams in India without breaking a sweat.
Building a Business Empire
Starting with Family Textiles
After finishing his fancy education, Arun headed back to Mumbai to work in his mom’s textile business. This wasn’t some small operation – by then, it had grown into one of the biggest textile companies in India. Working there taught him the basics of running a large business, dealing with suppliers, managing workers, and understanding international trade.
But Arun had his eye on something bigger. He could see that technology was going to be the future, not just textiles.
Creating Direction Software Solutions
In the late 1990s, when everyone was going crazy about the internet and tech, Arun made his move. He teamed up with his brother Nikhil and their partner Sanjay Chander Gupta to start Direction Software Solutions.
This company, based in Mumbai, became a big deal in the IT world. They focus on helping other businesses with their technology needs – things like:
- Setting up software systems that help companies run better
- Creating custom software from scratch
- Helping businesses understand and use their data better
- Making sure companies can work smoothly across different locations
Here’s what’s impressive – within just six years, the company grew to over 250 employees. That’s not luck, that’s smart business.
As CEO and Chairman, Arun has grown the company across Europe and Asia. They work with big retailers and companies all over the world. Even now in 2024, the company is still going strong, with offices in multiple countries.
Big Corporate Jobs Too
Running his own company wasn’t enough for Arun. He also held some pretty serious positions at huge corporations:
- Vice President at a company called Software Paradigms International
- High-level jobs at Tyco International (the security and electronics giant)
- Senior positions at PepsiCo (yes, the soda company)
These weren’t just fancy titles. He was managing big teams, handling millions of dollars, and making decisions that affected thousands of people.
Teaching and Training
Arun also travels around the world giving workshops and training sessions about technology, business development, and team management. With over 18 years doing this kind of work, he’s helped a lot of companies figure out how to use technology better.
The Money Talk: How Rich Is Arun Nayar?
That $200 Million Net Worth
Let’s talk numbers. Arun Nayar’s net worth is estimated at around $200 million. That’s not tabloid gossip – that’s based on his actual business interests and assets.
Where does all that money come from?
- His share of the family textile business he inherited and helped grow
- Owning a big chunk of Direction Software Solutions
- All those high-paying executive jobs at multinational companies
- Smart investments he’s made over the years
- Valuable properties in multiple countries
Living the Good Life
With that kind of money, Arun owns properties in some pretty amazing places:
- A place in London
- A countryside home in the Cotswolds (that’s the super posh English countryside)
- Property in Germany
- A spot in the French Riviera (think fancy beaches and yachts)
- His home in Mumbai
But here’s what’s different about him – he actually made most of this money himself through hard work and smart decisions. It’s not just inherited wealth or lottery luck. He got great education, worked his way up, and made clever business moves.
The Love Life Everyone Wants to Know About
First Marriage: Valentina Pedroni
Before all the celebrity drama, Arun met Valentina Pedroni, an Italian model, while on vacation in St. Moritz, Switzerland back in 1991. They got married in 1997, but things didn’t work out. They separated in 2002, though the divorce took forever to finalize – it wasn’t official until November 2005.
Divorces are tough, and this one sounds like it was particularly messy and difficult for everyone involved.
The Big One: Elizabeth Hurley
This is the relationship that put Arun in headlines worldwide. He met Elizabeth Hurley – yes, the gorgeous British actress and model – through a mutual friend over dinner in London. They made their first public appearance together at a Christian Dior fashion show in Paris in January 2003.
That Crazy Expensive Wedding
Once Arun’s divorce from Valentina was done in 2005, he and Liz started planning their wedding. And wow, did they go all out.
They had two wedding ceremonies in March 2007:
- One at Sudeley Castle in the English countryside (you know, just a casual castle wedding)
- Another at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India (literally a maharaja’s palace)
The whole thing was an eight-day celebration across two continents and cost somewhere around £2.5 million. The photos were everywhere – magazines, newspapers, TV. It was THE celebrity wedding of that year.
Playing Happy Families
After the wedding, they lived between London and their Cotswolds countryside home. Arun got along great with Elizabeth’s son Damian (from her previous relationship with Steve Bing). He talked about taking Damian out on the tractor while Elizabeth cooked, saying it was like being in a TV family show.
It all seemed perfect from the outside.
When It All Fell Apart
But in December 2010, everything came crashing down. The tabloids exposed that they’d separated, and Elizabeth filed for divorce in 2011, citing “unreasonable behavior” (that’s the legal term, doesn’t necessarily mean anything specific).
Arun was reportedly heartbroken. Friends said he was “devastated” by the split. But to his credit, he didn’t run to the press or trash-talk his ex-wife. He kept quiet and maintained his dignity, which is more than you can say for a lot of celebrity divorces.
Third Time’s the Charm? Nope: Kim Johnson
You’d think after two divorces, Arun might take a break from marriage, right? But in September 2016, he met Kim Johnson, a model and personal trainer, at some jewelry event. They hit it off fast – maybe too fast.
They got married in the French Riviera in July 2016 with a big celebrity wedding. Lots of famous faces, champagne, the whole deal.
But here’s the kicker – they split up after just three months. The divorce was finalized in 2017. Some people speculated that maybe his past with Elizabeth Hurley played a role, but who really knows what happens behind closed doors?
What About Now?
As of 2024, Arun is single and has no kids from any of his marriages. He keeps his personal life super private these days.
There was a little buzz in March 2019 when he and Elizabeth Hurley were spotted having dinner together at a fancy London club. Everyone started gossiping about a reunion, but nothing came of it. They probably just stayed friends – stranger things have happened.
What Does Arun Nayar Look Like?
Just for the curious folks, here are the basics:
- Height: 5’7″ (pretty average)
- Weight: Around 165 pounds
- Build: Slim and fit – he takes care of himself
- Hair: Black/dark brown
- Eyes: Brown
He’s got that sophisticated, well-groomed look. Not flashy, just classy. You can tell he’s someone who’s comfortable in a business suit or casual wear, equally at home in Mumbai or London.
What He’s Like as a Person
People who know Arun describe him as:
- Really smart (well, duh – Oxford and Imperial College)
- Calm and collected, doesn’t lose his cool easily
- Polite and well-mannered (that British schooling showing through)
- Private – he doesn’t like attention or drama
- Down-to-earth despite being super rich
His Hobbies
When he’s not working, Arun likes:
- Playing golf (he’s apparently pretty good)
- Reading
- Spending time at his countryside properties
- Traveling (which he probably does a lot for business anyway)
Social Media? Not His Thing
Here’s something refreshing in today’s world – Arun Nayar basically doesn’t do social media. No Instagram, no Twitter, no Facebook where he’s posting selfies or humble-bragging about his life.
He has a LinkedIn profile because, you know, business networking. But that’s about it. In a world where everyone shares everything online, he’s chosen to stay private. That’s pretty cool, actually.
Most of what you find about him online is either from old news articles about his marriages or business-related stuff. He’s not out there trying to be an influencer or build a personal brand. He just runs his businesses and lives his life quietly.
Does He Give Back?
Arun doesn’t make a big deal about charity work, but word is he does contribute to various causes, especially:
- Education programs in both India and the UK (makes sense given how education changed his life)
- Child welfare
- Technology training programs to help people learn new skills
His mom was known for doing charity work through the textile business, and it seems like Arun picked up that value of giving back.
Beyond personal charity, his company Direction Software Solutions has created hundreds of jobs across multiple countries and trained thousands of people in technology skills. That’s its own kind of positive impact.
Where Is Arun Nayar Today?
Still Running the Show
As of 2024, Arun is still the CEO of Direction Software Solutions. The company filed its latest financial reports in December 2024, so it’s definitely still active and doing business.
They’re focusing on:
- Expanding to new markets
- Working with the latest technologies (cloud computing, data analytics, all that modern stuff)
- Helping companies go digital
- Keeping up with the fast-changing tech world
Living Life on His Terms
At 59 years old (soon to be 60), Arun has settled into a quieter life. He focuses on his business, travels between his various properties, and avoids the spotlight.
After three marriages and tons of media attention, he seems to have found peace in just doing his work and living privately. Can’t blame him, really.
What We Can Learn from Arun Nayar
From Troubled Teen to Millionaire
Arun’s life story shows that:
- Education really can change your life – from boarding school troublemaker to Oxford graduate
- Hard work pays off – he didn’t just coast on family money, he built his own success
- Being able to adapt matters– switching from textiles to tech at the right time
- Keep your dignity even when life gets messy – three divorces and tabloid drama, but he never publicly attacked anyone
- Privacy is valuable– you don’t have to share everything with the world
What Made Him Successful?
Looking at his journey, here’s what worked:
- Top-notch education that opened doors
- Speaking multiple languages helped him do business globally
- Family business experience gave him a foundation
- Seeing opportunities– jumping into tech at the right time
- Building real relationships across different countries and industries
- Managing money smartly and not blowing it on stupid stuff
Handling the Tough Stuff
Three failed marriages and constant media attention would break a lot of people. But Arun kept moving forward. He didn’t let personal setbacks destroy his business focus. That takes real strength.
The Questions Everyone Asks
How much money does Arun Nayar actually have?
Around $200 million as of 2024. He made it through his tech company, family business, corporate jobs, and smart investing.
Is he still with Elizabeth Hurley?
Nope, they divorced back in 2011. They got married in 2007 but it only lasted four years.
What does he do for work?
He’s the founder and CEO of Direction Software Solutions, an IT consulting and software company based in Mumbai. He’s also held big executive jobs at companies like PepsiCo and Tyco.
Does he have kids?
No, he doesn’t have any children from any of his three marriages.
Where did he go to school?
He went to Oxford University for his Bachelor’s degree and Imperial College London for his Master’s, both in Physics.
How many times has he been married?
Three times – to Valentina Pedroni (Italian model), Elizabeth Hurley (British actress), and Kim Johnson (model/trainer). All three marriages ended in divorce.
What languages can he speak?
Four – English, Hindi, German, and Italian. Pretty handy for international business.
Where was he born?
In Leeds, England in 1964, though he spent a lot of his childhood in Mumbai, India.
The Bottom Line on Arun Nayar
So here’s the thing about Arun Nayar – yeah, he’s famous for marrying Elizabeth Hurley and having those over-the-top wedding ceremonies. But that’s honestly the least interesting thing about him.
This is a guy who:
- Went from a council estate to Oxford University
- Built a successful tech company from scratch that’s still thriving today
- Made $200 million through actual work and smart decisions, not just inheritance
- Managed to keep his cool and dignity through three divorces and tons of media drama
- Speaks four languages and does business across multiple continents
- Helps other people learn technology skills through his training work
Arun Nayar is proof that you can come from humble beginnings, mess up as a teenager, and still build something impressive if you’re willing to work for it and use your brain. He’s also proof that you can be super successful and wealthy without being loud about it or needing everyone’s attention.
In a world of influencers and people desperate for likes, there’s something admirable about someone who just quietly does his thing, runs his business well, and doesn’t feel the need to broadcast every moment of his life.
That’s the real story of Arun Nayar – not the celebrity husband, but the self-made businessman who understood that education, hard work, and adapting to change are what really matter in the long run.
