MasterChef India Finalist Urmila Jamnadas Asher Aka Gujju Ben Dies At 79 Due To Heart Attack In Mumbai
Urmila Jamnadas Asher, fondly known as 'Gujju Ben', passed away on Monday, April 7, in Mumbai at the age of 79. A finalist on MasterChef India 2023, Urmila had become a household name for her infectious energy and smile, culinary passion, and inspiring life story. The news of her passing was confirmed through an emotional post on her official Instagram account late Monday night.
According to paparazzo Viral Bhayani, she suffered heart attack. Her last rites were performed on Tuesday morning, April 8, at Chandan Wadi in Marine Lines.
A post on her account read, "With profound sorrow, we share the passing of Mrs. Urmila Jamnadas Asher - lovingly known to the world as Gujju Ben / Baa - on 07/04/2025. At 79, she became a symbol of courage, joy, and late blooming dreams. She reminded us that it’s never too late to start, to smile, to inspire. From her kitchen to your hearts, her warmth, laughter, and wisdom changed lives."
The post further read, "Let us not remember her with tears, but with the strength she showed us. The strength to be fearless. To love fully. To live joyfully. Baa’s journey doesn’t end here — it lives on in every person she touched, every laugh she shared, and every soul she inspired. We will carry her light forward."
Soon after the post was shared, several MasterChef India contestants mourned her death.
According to a report in The Quint, she faced unimaginable personal tragedies, having lost all three of her children. Her daughter, aged just 2.5 years, died in a tragic fall from a building. Her elder son succumbed to a brain tumour, and her younger son reportedly passed away due to heart failure.
Yet, despite these profound losses, Urmila found a new purpose through cooking. Alongside her grandson Harsh, she launched 'Gujju Ben Na Nasta', a homegrown venture offering traditional Gujarati snacks.
Her late entry into the culinary spotlight earned her admiration from across the country, especially during her time as a finalist on MasterChef India.
She was also an active food blogger, and used social media to share recipes and moments from her life.
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