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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Bart Dickson

Glasgow billionaire dies aged 73 as wife pays tribute to 'mentor and soul mate'

Tributes have been paid to one of Scotland's richest men after he died aged 73.

John Shaw gave away millions in donations to schools and universities in his homeland.

Shaw and his wife, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, gifted cash to University of Glasgow where he had studied and also gave £1.5million to the High School of Glasgow, his former secondary school.

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The couple featured in the Sunday Times Rich List where their wealth was estimated to be almost £2.5billion.

Glasgow-born Shaw had travelled the world working for Paisley-based textiles firm, Coats, where he held senior positions.

But when he met his future wife they went on to create biotech giant, Biocon, making her a billionaire and one of India's richest women.

They were married at the Newmiln Country House Hotel in Perthshire in 1998.

The Shaws developed their business into a multi-billion pound company and helped change the lives of patients by finding new and affordable ways to treat diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

He was an avid art collector and also a huge fan of Spanish football giants, FC Barcelona.

Diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007, he had surgery but the cancer returned 11 years later, leading to extensive treatment in New York and Bangalore.

He also suffered from dementia but died on October 24 after suffering pneumonia.

His wife paid tribute to her beloved husband on social media.

She wrote: "I am devastated to lose my husband, my mentor and soul mate. I will always be spiritually guided by John as I pursue my purpose.

"Rest in peace my darling John. Thank you for making my life so very special. I will miss you profoundly."

The University of Glasgow said: "Our most profound condolences Kiran. The university will always be proud to count John as a friend, a supporter and among our most distinguished alumni. All our love and thoughts to you and your family."

The High School of Glasgow added: "The school is profoundly saddened to learn of the death of former pupil, John Shaw, a wonderful friend and supporter of the school.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Kiran, John's brother, Alasdair and the family at this difficult time."

The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre(ARC) was officially launched in June by Nobel prize-winning professor Sir David MacMillan.

The building was named after the couple who gifted around £7million towards its construction.

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