Indian socialite and philanthropist Parmeshwar Godrej, the wife of Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej, passed away at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Monday night, official sources said. She was 70.

According to reports, Paremeshwar was undergoing treatment for a lung disease she was diagnosed with five years ago. Besides Adi, Parmeshwar, a former air hostess with Air India, is survived by three children.

She was known for her work in combating AIDS through the Heroes Project, which she launched in 2004 along with Hollywood actor Richard Gere.

Parmeshwar Godrej, who championed many social causes, was suffering from a lung illness, family sources said, adding that she has been cremated.

A multi-faceted person, Ms Godrej was also referred as a ‘style icon’ and was well connected with people in the world of entertainment and business.

One of her biggest initiatives in philanthropy was joining hands with legendary Hollywood actor Richard Gere, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative to combat AIDS through the launch of the ‘Heroes Project’ in 2004.

Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan was among the first to offer tributes to her, saying he is “devastated” by the news of death of his “close friend”.

Parmeshwar Godrej had worked with national carrier Air India briefly as an air hostess and had also designed clothes for noted actress Hema Malini on the insistence of director friend Feroze Khan for a film in 1975.

Parmeshwar and Adi Godrej married in 1965, and have three children — daughters Nisa Godrej and Tanya Dubash who are associated with the flagship company Godrej Consumer Products, and son Pirojsha who leads the group’s listed realty arm.

She had teamed up with acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur to launch a production house called ‘Starlight’ in 2000, which was preceded by co-producing the Merchant-Ivory production ‘The Perfect Murder’ in 1988.

Not just the glamour world, her network of friends were from diverse fields and in a recent book, nobel laureate Amartya Sen had spoken richly about her, calling Parmeshwar Godrej a “brilliant conversationalist” and “wonderful company”.

As the word spread about her death, micro-blogging website Twitter was filled with rich tributes to her.

Tributes poured in for the family on Twitter, including from Former cricketer Imran Khan and former minister Milind Deora.

“Devastated by death of close friend, Parmeshwar Godrej, last night: she was always there for me in my most difficult times. May her husband Adhi and her children find strength to cope with this loss.” Imran Khan

Milind Deora”Deepest condolences to Adi uncle, Tanya, Pirojsha & family. Will miss Parmeshwar Godrej, one of the warmest/toughest people I knew”

My Deepest condolences to Godrej family on sad demise of Parmeshwar Godrej, a true icon in spreading smile, joy among all. RIP !!— Pankaja Gopinath Munde

  Parmeshwar Godrej, This was a life