India is one of the largest, and most heavily populated countries in the world. With its rich culture and historical importance, it’s no wonder that India is the seventh-largest country by nominal GDP. Take all of those facts into consideration, and it’s obvious that India has some very wealthy and successful people.
And today, we’re talking about them, precisely about their networth and the origins of their income. Without further ado, let’s meet the richest people in India and see who are actually the wealthiest Indians in 2016.
#10 – Kumar Birla – Net Worth: $7.3 Billion
Kumar Birla grew up in Mumbai and Kolkata, as the fourth generation member of the Birla family. He has two high-education degrees, from Bombay and London. Mr. Birla took his current Chairman position when he was only 28 years old, and proven himself to be a competent businessman.
Under his command, the Adity Birla Group made 36 global acquisitions. If this was a list on Indian acquisitions, Kuma Birla would be placed as the number one, since 36 is the record as of now.
The conglomerate deals in many areas, including cement, carbon block, fashion, telecom services and many more.
#9 – Cyrus Poonawalla – Net Worth: $9.4 Billion
Other than founding and leading the Serum Institute, Dr. Poonawalla also has ties with horse racing and has many business awards to his name. In his free time he enjoys expensive and luxurious cars, as well as custom-made limos.
#8 – Shiv Nadari – Net Worth: $10.7 Billion
HCL is one of the largest Indian companies, with a revenue of $6 billion, as of August 2015.
Shiv Nadari, known as Magus, is focusing his efforts into improving Indian education system since 1990’s. He is frequently donating money, equipment and stocks of his company to various schools and colleges.
#7 – Adi Godrej (Godrej Family) – Net Worth: $11.4 Billion
The Godrejs are a multi-national conglomerate, dealing in real estate, industrial engineering, security products and more. The group was founded back in 1987 by Ardeshir and Pirojsha Godrej, and has since then became one of India’s most notable companies.
Other than Adi, the family is headed by his brother Nadir, and his cousin Jamshyd.
#6 – Lakshmi Mittal – Net Worth: $12 Billion
Currently living in Great Britain, Mr. Mittal is one of the most influential people in the world, having been granted many business and non-business related awards.
Fun fact about Lakshmi Mittal is that his daughter’s wedding is the second most expensive wedding ever held in the world. Can you imagine spending over $1.5 milllion on the wine only, or over $1 million on the bride’s gown?
Well, Mr. Mittal and around 1000 wedding guests don’t have to imagine it, because they were there when that happened.
#5 – Pallonji Mistry – Net Worth: $14.6 Billion
His company built some of the most recognizable Indian landmarks, including State Bank of India and the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank.
Mr. Mistry has given up his Indian citizenship in order to get an Irish one, since India doesn’t allow dual citizenships. He currently lives in Ireland.
#4 – Dilip Shanghvi – Net Worth: $15.1 Billion
He started Sun Pharmaceutical Industries with his partner, Pradeep Ghosh, in 1982. Since then, it has grown massively, and today it employs 53,000 people, and is the world’s fifth largest pharmaceutical company, which puts Mr. Shanghvi to our number 4 place.
#3 – Azim Premji – Net Worth: $15.9 Billion
Mr. Premji has been leading the company for over 40 years, and finally has emerged at the top of the IT world. He was voted amongst the top 20 most powerful men in the world by Asiaweek, and was listed by TIME Magazine in the top 100 most influential people in the world, twice.
3 years ago, he gave 25% of his personal wealth to charity, and last year he gave 18% of his stakes of Wipro to the same cause. Alongside Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, world’s richest man, he is a part of the campaign called “The Giving Pledge”, and is encouraging other wealthy people to help the “far less privileged”, as he said.
#2 – Srichand Hinduja (Hinduja Family) – Net Worth: $16.2 Billon
Hinduja home in London was ranked as the 3rd most expensive private house in the world by Forbes Life. Mr. Srichand Hinduja is a strict vegetarian, and is known for bringing his own food to the Buckingham Palace at Queen’s banquets.
#1 – Mukesh Ambani – Net Worth: $21.1 Billion
He lives at the Antilla Buliding, estimated to be worth around $1 billion, and owns the Mumbai Indians cricket team.
There you have it, the top 10 most powerful and wealthiest Indian men alive. These guys have worked hard and achieved some amazing goals. Their combined wealth is over 130,000,000,000 USD ($130 billion), and they sure enjoy their wealth – mansions, sports cars and expensive hobbies.