10 Richest Personalities of India

The race to be the wealthiest in the world has been hardcore for some time now. It also receives a big spotlight every year as people find it interesting to know who took the crown of “Richie Rich” for the year. 💸  

In the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires rankings in India, there are a few names we are familiar with. In contrast, the  economic transformation our nation is witnessing has given rise to a new breed of crorepatis (billionaires).  

With India becoming a global hub for economic growth and innovation, who are the personalities standing proudly on the top of the hill with immense wealth?

India’s Top 10 Richest Person

Let's begin the countdown with the most richest of them all (as per December, 2023):

1. Gautam Adani

When hearing the name Adani, several things come to mind. Hindenburg’s controversy, huge debt, coal mines, and a large bank account are a few of them. Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, was once the richest person in Asia.  

He has a net worth of ₹8.1 lakh crores, close to $97.6 billion. His conglomerate, Adani Group, is diversified in infrastructure, energy, ports, and logistics, among others. Adani's remarkable ability to tap into India's growing infrastructure needs has secured his place as one of the country's richest individuals.

This inapt ability has also allowed Adani to see past the tough times and maintain a good position in the richest person list. He recently surpassed Mukesh Ambani to grab the top spot.

Interested in Adani’s empire? Analyse one of the biggest players in Adani Group by clicking here.

2. Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, is topping the list. The 66-year-old personality has a net worth of ₹7.8 lakh crore, close to $94.2 billion.

His visionary leadership has propelled Reliance into an empire that spans telecommunications, retail, petrochemicals, and more. Ambani's relentless pursuit of innovation and expansion has made him the richest man in India and the 15th wealthiest in the world.

It’s no wonder that the man was re-chosen to be the chairman & MD of the Reliance empire even after crossing the age threshold. It’s hard to find a successor worthy of the man.

Also read: The Future of Reliance: A New Era of Growth or Decline.

3. Shiv Nadar

HCL Technologies is what first comes to mind whenever the IT industry is discussed. The brains behind the tech giant, Shiv Nadar, is the co-founder and chairman of HCL Technologies. Now 78 years old, Mr Nadar has a net worth of ₹2.4 lakh crores, which is close to $29.1 billion.

Nadar's endeavours, especially in the field of education, have made him not only rich but also highly influential. He has also been bestowed with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, which is the third-highest civilian award in India.

Read about the man's inspiring story and his journey to the heights of success in the article Shiv Nadar: The Story of an Exemplary Entrepreneur.

4. Savitri Jindal

Savitri Jindal, the matriarch of the Jindal dynasty, stands as India's wealthiest woman. She has a net worth of ₹2.07 lakh crores, close to $25.3 billion.

She inherited her wealth from her late husband's Jindal Steel & Power Limited steel empire. The emeritus chair of Jindal Group has philanthropic endeavours, and political influence has cemented her stature in Indian society.

5. Cyrus Poonawala

Cyrus Poonawalla, instrumental in the Serum Institute of India's vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic, earned global acclaim. His wealth skyrocketed along with his contribution to public health.

The 82-year-old currently accounts for ₹1.7 lakh crores of net worth, approximating $21.2 billion. He is the MD of Serum Institute of India, which is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing firm.

The fantastic combination of heroism and profits makes Cyrus Poonawala an intriguing personality in the nation.

6. Dilip Sanghvi

Dilip Sanghvi is a stalwart in India's pharmaceutical industry. His innovative strategies and commitment to quality propelled Sun Pharma to the forefront.

With strategic execution and venture into international markets, Dilip generated a net worth of ₹1.57 lakh crores, close to $19.5 billion.

Sun Pharma was the first Indian pharmaceutical firm to touch the $5 billion valuation, for which a significant contribution goes to the mastermind Dilip Sanghvi. His philanthropic efforts have included significant donations to educational institutions and healthcare initiatives.

7. Kumar Birla

From inheriting a vast empire at 28 to steering it through turbulent times and into new frontiers, Kumar Mangalam Birla's journey is a testament to his vision and resilience.

The testament to the business astute understanding of this inspiring personality is reflected in a net worth of ₹1.4 lakh crore, which is around $17.8 billion.

Handling the role of non-executive director of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Birla has a legacy forged in steel. From managing the empire at such a young age to playing a principal role in Vodafone Idea telecommunications till 2021, Kumar has proved himself worthy of amassing wealth.

8. Radhakishan Damani

Radhakishan Damani, the founder of Avenue Supermarts Limited, the parent company of the popular retail chain DMart, is a renowned investor and entrepreneur.

With his efforts and smarts, he succeeded in creating a chain of hypermarkets and supermarkets that rapidly gained popularity for its commitment to offering quality products at competitive prices.

68-year-old Damani has a net worth of ₹1.32 lakh crores, which is close to $16.6 billion. His focus on cost control, efficient supply chain management, and customer-centric approach made DMart a household name in India.

Beyond his success in retail, his humility and investing expertise make him a revered figure in India's industry landscape.

Read about Radhakishan Damani’s investments in a portfolio overview.

9. Lakshmi Mittal

Lakshmi Mittal, a global steel magnate, has gracefully navigated industry challenges. Founder of ArcelorMittal Group, Lakshmi Mittal, has a net worth of ₹1.2 lakh crores, which is close to $15.2 billion.

He is simultaneously celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur and denounced as a ruthless businessman. Yet, there's no denying the transformative impact he has had on the steel industry and the global economy.

Despite the fluctuations in the steel sector, Mittal's tenacity and business understanding have consistently ranked him among India's wealthiest individuals.

Read about his success story and the difficult journey he endured to come out at the top by clicking here.

10. Kushal Pal Singh

With a net worth close to ₹1.07 lakh crores (around $13.2 billion), Kushal Pal Singh is the newest addition to the top 10 rankings of the richest in India. Being the chairman emeritus of India’s biggest real estate firm, DLF Ltd., Kushal Singh has an army background.

Singh has been serving as DLF’s chairman for over five decades. Interestingly, this billionaire's name is synonymous with Gurgaon, the satellite city near Delhi. The reason for this similarity is Kushal’s single-handed contribution to transforming this sleepy village into a bustling metropolis.

The Bottom Line

Whenever any of the above personalities face a slight change in their routine, their empires see drastic changes. That’s the power of being the richest in the nation.

This desirable power also has the potential to change the dynamics of our nation as the persons mentioned above control the major industries. That’s why it's important to keep an eye on them as they are affecting your financial plans even in this second.