Top 10 Richest Indians as per Forbes List 2009
The global financial crisis has hit the subcontinent hard–the wealthiest Indians are worth 60% less than a year ago.
These
are painful times for India’s richest as the ongoing global turmoil
drastically reshapes their fortunes. The country’s once soaring stock
market fell 48% in the 12 months, the rupee depreciated 24% against the
dollar and gross domestic product growth is expected to slow down to
7.5%, partly owing to double-digit inflation.
All
of this conspired to knock 60% off the combined fortunes of the
nation’s 40 wealthiest. Their total net worth fell $212 billion, to
$139 billion, down from $351 billion a year ago.
Makes
debut as India’s richest, despite fact that net worth fell $28.2
billion in past year as stock price of petrochemicals flagship Reliance Industries tanked.
Unfazed, Mukesh upped Reliance stake, paying $3.4 billion to convert
120 million preferential warrants into shares, at a premium to stock
price. Legal spat with estranged brother Anil over gas supply agreement
still unresolved.
debut as India’s richest, despite fact that net worth fell $28.2
billion in past year as stock price of petrochemicals flagship Reliance Industries tanked.
Unfazed, Mukesh upped Reliance stake, paying $3.4 billion to convert
120 million preferential warrants into shares, at a premium to stock
price. Legal spat with estranged brother Anil over gas supply agreement
still unresolved.
2 Lakshmi Mittal
Net Worth: $20.5 billionAge: 58
Marital Status: Married, 2 children
Hometown: London
Stock of world’s largest steel outfit, ArcelorMittal, which he heads, spiraled to 4-year lows amid falling steel prices. In November announced plans to cut output, reduce debt. Mittal joined Goldman Sachs board in June. Has stakes in Indiabulls, RAB Capital.
Plans to merge his Reliance Communications
with South Africa’s MTN in what would have been India’s largest-ever
overseas deal were scuttled in July after brother Mukesh threatened to
sue, claiming he had right of first refusal. Stock stumbled 48% since.
Married to a onetime Bollywood actress, Anil has Hollywood ambitions:
His Reliance Entertainment is investing $500 million in a new studio
venture with Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks.
with South Africa’s MTN in what would have been India’s largest-ever
overseas deal were scuttled in July after brother Mukesh threatened to
sue, claiming he had right of first refusal. Stock stumbled 48% since.
Married to a onetime Bollywood actress, Anil has Hollywood ambitions:
His Reliance Entertainment is investing $500 million in a new studio
venture with Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks.
4 Sunil Mittal
Net Worth: $7.9 billionAge: 51
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
Hometown: Delhi
Runs Bharti Group whose Bharti Airtel
is country’s largest mobile phone operator. In May backed out of deal
to take over South Africa’s MTN, opening door for Anil Ambani’s failed
bid. Launched Airtel Digital TV, a direct-to-home digital television
service. Joint venture with Wal-Mart expected to open its first store
next year. Funding soccer academy.
is country’s largest mobile phone operator. In May backed out of deal
to take over South Africa’s MTN, opening door for Anil Ambani’s failed
bid. Launched Airtel Digital TV, a direct-to-home digital television
service. Joint venture with Wal-Mart expected to open its first store
next year. Funding soccer academy.
5 Kushal Pal Singh
Net Worth: $7
.8 billionAge: 77
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
Hometown: Delhi
Real estate baron and DLF
chairman lost $27.2 billion in past year. Attempt to boost share price
through share buyback was unsuccessful as were its plans to list its
real estate investment trust in Singapore. Company paid $40 million in
February to sponsor new cricket league for 5 years.
chairman lost $27.2 billion in past year. Attempt to boost share price
through share buyback was unsuccessful as were its plans to list its
real estate investment trust in Singapore. Company paid $40 million in
February to sponsor new cricket league for 5 years.
6 Shashi & Ravi Ruia
Net Worth: $7.
6 billionAge: 64
Marital Status: Married, 2 children/Married, 2 children
Hometown: Mumbai
Brothers’ Essar Group’s
most valuable asset is 33% stake in mobile phone operator Vodafone
Essar, India’s third largest. Also own 8% in rival telecom firm BPL
Mobile. Lost out to Russian firm Severstal in bid for steelmaker Esmark
this year. Other holdings in shipping, oil, construction, power.
most valuable asset is 33% stake in mobile phone operator Vodafone
Essar, India’s third largest. Also own 8% in rival telecom firm BPL
Mobile. Lost out to Russian firm Severstal in bid for steelmaker Esmark
this year. Other holdings in shipping, oil, construction, power.
7 Azim Premji
Net Worth: $7 billionAge: 63
Marital Status: Married, 2 children
Hometown: Bangalore
Longtime head of $4.9 billion (revenues) Bangalore outsourcing giant Wipro,
handed over operations to 2 co-chief executives in April. Remains
chairman. Hit by global economic slowdown, stock is down 44% in past
year.
handed over operations to 2 co-chief executives in April. Remains
chairman. Hit by global economic slowdown, stock is down 44% in past
year.
8 Kumar Birla
Net Worth: $5 billionAge: 41
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
Hometown: Mumbai
Head of Aditya Birla Group,
commodities conglomerate inherited from father, with operations in 25
countries. His telecom outfit bought 50% of mobile operator Spice
Communications. In October a rights issue by its aluminum maker
Hindalco unraveled as its stock price plunged to alltime low.
commodities conglomerate inherited from father, with operations in 25
countries. His telecom outfit bought 50% of mobile operator Spice
Communications. In October a rights issue by its aluminum maker
Hindalco unraveled as its stock price plunged to alltime low.
9 Adi Godrej
Net Worth: $4 billionAge: 66
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
Hometown: Mumbai
Third generation head of Godrej Group,
a consumer products conglomerate which makes locks, soaps, mosquito
repellants, furniture and foods. In major image makeover, group logo
was changed for the first time since it was founded 111 years ago.
Following the easing of decades-old land ownership restrictions, Godrej
has outlined ambitious plans to develop family’s 3,500 acre estate in
suburban Mumbai. Son Pirojsha, a Columbia grad, works in property arm.
a consumer products conglomerate which makes locks, soaps, mosquito
repellants, furniture and foods. In major image makeover, group logo
was changed for the first time since it was founded 111 years ago.
Following the easing of decades-old land ownership restrictions, Godrej
has outlined ambitious plans to develop family’s 3,500 acre estate in
suburban Mumbai. Son Pirojsha, a Columbia grad, works in property arm.
10 Gautam Adani
Net Worth: $3.9 billi
onAge: 46
Marital Status: Married, 2 children
Hometown: Ahmedabad
Dropped out of college to start a trading outfit 20 years ago. Now his Adani Enterprises
has interests in edible oils, power, infrastructure. Owns Mundra Port,
India’s largest in private sector. Fishermen recently took Adani to
court over special economic zone he’s building on western coast; court
ruled in his favor. Plans to list power subsidiary are delayed.
hi Rita,
1i was only knowing about first 5 richest people
thanks for the inforamtion & also about their status.
i wish to you as soon as your name also come in list.
2RITA thanks sharing nice info
3how different u are…!!!!!!!!!!!
4KASH HUM BHI AISE HOTE……….NICE INFORMATION
5ohhhhhh….why i am feeling jealous….may be because my name is not in d list…wait for couple of years and in all 10 places u”ll find me and my relatives….shhh..i am joining politics…lol
6Thanks for sharing the information, Rita.
7good info
8thanks for the info
9thank you Rita
for me riches are not only in money - if one is rich in mind, heart, soul and spiritual - then he is truly rich…
10Good information..
11we must dream big..
to be included in the list..may be from the last number…
parbat singh Rathore
MANY THANKS DEAR……
12Nice information …. Thanks for sharing.
13very informative..
14if not married, my name would also would have been there……good info
15Attn. Ritaji, I am really proud of you. Simply because whenever you create a blog around money then it is clear THAT you are the economist who is awakening the Nation, economically…. Your blogs are indeed most educative…..
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