Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, chairman of Ramoji Group and Padma Vibhushan awardee, passed away after prolonged illness in the early hours of Saturday, his family members said. He was 87. He is survived by his wife Rama Devi and son Ch Kiran, who is heading the Eenadu group of publications and ETV channels.
His younger son, Cherukuri Suman, died of leukemia on September 7, 2012. Rao had been suffering from chronic illness and age-related health complications for a long time. He was admitted to Star Hospitals of Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on June 5 afternoon due to respiratory issues and high blood pressure.
“He was being treated with ventilator support and was in a critical condition. He breathed his last at Star Hospitals at Nanakramguda at around 4.50 am. His body is being taken to his residence in the Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad in a while,” a family member said.
