TOP TEN BILLIONAIRES OF INDIA = FROM FORBES LIST = INTERESTING INSIGHTS

INDIA’S TOP TEN BILLIONAIRES

A FEW DETAILS (From Forbes)

Forbes List of Billionaires published every year is a much awaited list world over. This year (as of March 2011), Forbes has published the list again.  In the previous Post on the subject, the names of the Indian Billionaires has been given in this Blog.

Now, a few more additional details, from the Forbes list are furnished below – which  provides an interesting story on the rising and falling fortunes of our richest men and women.

Lakshmi Mittal

$31.1 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 60
• Title: Chairman
• Organization: ArcelorMittal ADS
• Source: Steel, inherited and growing
• Residence: London, United Kingdom
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: BA/BS, St Xavier's College Calcutta
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

World Billionaires:

No. 6 Over all

No.1 In India

Powerful People:

No. 44

Money

Revenue Last 12 Months : $75.1 B

Total Compensation 2009 : $3.6 M

Salary $1.5 M

Bonus $2.1 M

Net Worth Over Time

2011 :     $31.1 B

2010 :     $28.7 B

2009 :     $19.3 B

2008 :     $45 B

2007 :     $32 B

2006 :     $23.5 B

2005 :     $25 B

2004 :     $6.2 B

2003 :     $2.2 B

2002 :     $1.4 B

Employees   :   285,000

Pursuits   :

Director, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Chairman, ArcelorMittal

Net profits at his ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel-maker, are up 18-fold to $2.9 billion in 2010 due to recovery in steel demand and higher margins. Group spun off its stainless steel unit into Aperam, a new listed company, and also acquired Canadian miner Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation. It has funded a 377-foot sculpture called ArcelorMittal Orbit in London's Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics. Europe's richest resident, he bought Alderbrook Park, a 340-acre country estate outside London, where he plans to build an eco-friendly country mansion for a reported $40 million. Daughter Vanisha acquired stake in Roc Capital Management, a New York hedge fund. Daughter-in-law Megha owns German fashion house Escada.

Mukesh Ambani

$27 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 53
• Title: Chairman
• Organization: Reliance Industries
• Source: petrochemicals, oil & gas, inherited and growing
• Residence: Mumbai, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: Dropout, Stanford University; BA/BS, University of Bombay
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 3

World Billionaires:

No.9 Over all

No.2  In India

Powerful People

No.34

Money

Revenue 2009  :  $45.3 B

Total Compensation 2010  :  $3.2 M

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $27 B

2010 : $29 B

2009 : $19.5 B

2008 : $43 B

2007 : $20.1 B

2006 : $8.5 B

2005 : $7 B

2004 : $6 B

2003 : $2.8 B

Employees  :  23,365

Pursuits

Member , Council on Foreign Relations

Chairman , Reliance Industries Ltd.

His oil and gas conglomerate Reliance Industries, India's most valuable company, just forged a partnership with BP, selling 30% stake in 23 oil blocks in India for $7.2 billion and forming a marketing joint venture. The deal is being touted as one of biggest foreign investments in India. He's also betting on shale gas, having bought stakes in three American energy firms for $3.3 billion last year. He and wife Nita host parties at their recently completed 27-story sky palace in Mumbai, but have still to move in permanently.

Azim Premji

$16.8 B

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

    * Age: 65

    * Source: Software, inherited and growing

    * Residence: Bangalore, India

    * Country of citizenship: India

    * Education: BA/BS, Stanford University

    * Marital Status: Married

    * Children: 2

World's Billionaires :

No. 36 overall

No.3  in India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $16.8 B

2010 : $17 B

2009 : $5.7 B

2008 : $12.7 B

2007 : $17.1 B

2006 : $13.3 B

2005 : $9.3 B

2004 : $6.7 B

2003 : $5.9 B

2002 : $6.4 B

Pursuits

Chairman, Wipro Ltd

The head of outsourcing giant Wipro caused a stir when he donated $2 billion worth of shares last year to a trust to fund his Azim Premji Foundation. The largest such endowment by an individual in India, it makes Premji one of Asia's biggest donors. The foundation, which focuses on improving state-run elementary schools by training teachers and upgrading the curriculum, has so far covered 2.5 million children in 25,000 schools. It will use the funds to expand its reach and for a new university being set up near Bangalore. The donation brought down Premji's holding in Wipro from 79% to 70%. Eldest son Rishad, a Harvard grad, who was recently elevated to chief strategy officer, is widely seen as his successor.

Shashi & Ravi Ruia

$15.8 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 67
• Source: Diversified, inherited and growing
• Residence: Mumbai, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: BA/BS, University of Madras
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

World Billionaires :

No. 42 Over All

No. 4 In India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $15.8 B

2010 : $13 B

2009 : $5.6 B

2008 : $15 B

2007 : $8 B

2006 : $2.8 B

Passions  : Planes ; Yachts;

Over four decades, brothers built their Essar Group into $15 billion (revenues) conglomerate with interests in steel, oil, shipping, power, telecom and construction. Made big splash last year with $1.85 billion IPO of Essar Energy, the largest ever listing in London by an Indian firm. In February it bought a UK refinery from Shell for $350 million. Vodafone, their long-time partner in telecom, opposed their proposal to transfer part of their one third stake in unlisted Vodafone Essar, to their listed India Securities. Bankers appointed to determine value. They also hold minority stake in Loop Telecom, owned by their brother-in-law which is under scanner as part of investigation into telecom corruption scandal. Company denies any wrongdoing. Sons Prashant, Anshuman and Rewant work in group. Family goes on fishing holidays together on their yatch Sunrays.

Savitri Jindal & family

$13.2 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 60
• Source: Steel, inherited
• Residence: Hisar, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Marital Status: Widow
• Children: 9

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No. 56 overall

No.5  in India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $13.2 B

2010 : $12.2 B

2009 : $2.7 B

2008 : $8.2 B

2007 : $2.4 B

Passions  : Education

Chairs $12 billion (revenues) O.P. Jindal Group, a steel and power conglomerate founded by her late husband Om Prakash Jindal who died in a helicopter crash. Sons Prithviraj, Sajjan, Ratan and Naveen manage operations of companies in their charge. Sajjan on buying binge: he bought Canada's CIC Energy; then snatched Ispat Industries, an ailing steelmaker owned by Lakhsmi Mital's younger siblings. Family's biggest asset is Jindal Steel & Power, run by youngest son Naveen who is a member of parliament. Company lately in tangle with environment ministry over allegedly flouting green laws for its upcoming power project in eastern India.

Gautam Adani

$10 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 48
• Source: commodities, infrastructure, self-made
• Residence: Ahmedabad, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No. 81 Over all

No.6 In India

Net Worth Over Time

·         2011 : $10 B

·         2010 :  $4.8 B

·         2009  :    $1.8 B

·         2008  :  $9.3 B

Pursuits : Chairman , Adani Enterprises

Fast-rising industrialist, started out as trader in 1988, expanded into infrastructure. His Adani Group owns Mundra Port, India's biggest in the private sector. Also has energy interests through Adani Power. In buying binge to secure coal supplies, he bought an Australian mine lease and inked a deal for two coal mines in Indonesia. In a court-approved move, he transferred his holdings in Mundra Port to flagship Adani Enterprises. Federal environment ministry charged Mundra for allegedly flouting green laws; company denies. A cricket fan, his bid for a cricket team at the last Indian Premier League auction was unsuccessful.

Kumar Birla

$9.2 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 43
• Source: commodities, inherited and growing
• Residence: Mumbai, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: MBA, London Business School; BA/BS, University of Bombay
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 3

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No.97 Over all

No.7 In India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $9.2 B

2010 : $7.9 B

2009 : $4.2 B

2008 : $10.2 B

2007 : $8 B

2006 : $4.4 B

2005 : $3.7 B

2004 : $3.2 B

2003 : $2.4 B

2002 : $2.1 B

Passions  : Education

Fourth generation of storied Birla clan, runs $29 billion (revenues) Aditya Birla Group, a commodities conglomerate named after his late father. It's among the world's top ten producers of cement, aluminum. Recently acquired Columbian Chemicals for $875 million to become world's biggest maker of carbon black, used in auto tires. Other interests include telecom, financial services and retailing. Aiming to more than double group revenues to $65 billion by 2015. Mother Rajashree who heads group's charitable arm, was conferred the Padma Bhushan, among nation's top civilian honors. Wife Neerja oversees the Aditya Birla World Academy, a school in Mumbai

Anil Ambani

$8.8 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 51
• Source: Diversified, inherited and growing
• Residence: Mumbai, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: BA/BS, University of Bombay; MBA, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No. 103 Over all

No.8 In India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 ; $8.8 B

2010 : $13.7 B

2009 : $10.1 B

2008 : $42 B

2007 : $18.2 B

2006 : $5.7 B

Passions  : Planes; Yachts; Art;

Anil Ambani continues to grab headlines nearly daily. He was one of several telecom tycoons to be deposed before the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with India's corruption scandal over granting of telecom licences. His group denied any involvement or wrongdoing. In January, the stock market regulator, which was reportedly investigating allegations that the group routed money raised overseas into the stock market, passed consent order that he, four other executives wouldn't invest in listed stocks in the secondary market for a year. In February, when shares of his companies crashed, he alleged foul play by a cartel of brokers, instigated by unnamed rivals. A consortium of Chinese banks agreed to fund up to $12 billion of Chinese equipment purchases by his Reliance Power. His entertainment arm recently tied up with Tom Hanks' Playtone for an online animated series. He and brother Mukesh, ranked no. 9 in the world, reportedly vacationed together with their families in a South African wildlife park after their patchup last May.

Sunil Mittal & family

$8.3 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 53
• Source: telecom, self-made
• Residence: New Delhi, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: BA/BS, Punjab University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 3

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No. 110 Over all

No. 9 In India

Net Worth Over Time

2011 : $8.3 B

2010 : $7.8 B

2009 : $7.7 B

2008 : $11.8 B

2007 : $9.5 B

2006 : $4.9 B

2005 : $3.3 B

2004 : $2.7 B

Pursuits

Chairman, Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Passions  : Education

Hard-charging telecom tycoon, snatched the African unit of Kuwait's Zain for $9 billion. His flagship Bharti Airtel, now world's fifth largest telecom firm with 200 million customers in 19 countries. It paid a hefty $2.6 billion for a 3G mobile licence. His joint venture with WalMart runs cash-and-carry stores in North India. Other interests include food processing and insurance. He will be joining Unilever's board this May. Son Shravin joined Bharti's international unit in September, fuelling speculation about Mittal's succession plans.

Adi Godrej & family

$7.3 B 

Net Worth Calculated March 2011

• Age: 68
• Source: Diversified, inherited and growing
• Residence: Mumbai, India
• Country of citizenship: India
• Education: BA/BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 3

WORLD BILLIONAIRES :

No. 130 Over all

No. 10 In India

Net Worth Over Time

2011  :  $7.3 B

2010  :  $5.2 B

2009  :  $3.3 B

2008  :  $5.5 B

2007  :  $4.1 B

2006  :  $2.6 B

2005  :  $1.9 B

2004  :  $2 B

2003  :  $1.1 B

Pursuits : Chairman, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

Passions  : Environment

Head of 114-year old Godrej Group, a consumer goods conglomerate, started by his granduncle. He bought out Sara Lee's 51% stake in itheir joint venture that makes household care products. . Planning to launch chocolate business with Hershey and its own brand of television sets. Property arm, where son Pirojsha works, went public. Planning new development on part of 3,500 acre Godrej estate in suburban Mumbai which remains family's private asset. Daughters Tanya and Nisa also work in the group.

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