Top 10 Wealthiest Indian Entrepreneurs in 2012


7. Savitri Jindal

$8.2 billion

Source: Steel, power

Age: 62. Widow, 9 children

Residence: Hisar/Delhi

Another tough year for her Jindal Group, steel and power conglomerate founded by her late husband, of which she is the chairperson. Her youngest son Naveen, who runs Jindal Steel & Power, family’s biggest asset, faced criticism when a CAG report charged that the company had unfairly secured coal mines from the government. He denied any wrongdoing, saying the mines were allocated on merit. Shares of JSW Steel, run by son Sajjan, fell when it announced plans to merge with JSW Ispat, a company acquired from Lakshmi Mittal’s younger brother in 2010.

Fast facts

Family’s fortune down $6.2 billion in two years.

6. Adi Godrej

$9 billion

Source: Consumer goods, real estate

Age: 70. Married, 3 children

Residence: Mumbai

Godrej Group has revenue of $3.8 billion. It is a consumer goods conglomerate that makes everything from locks to refrigerators. Chocolate maker Hershey’s recently bought out Godrej’s 43 percent stake in their Indian joint venture. In April, son Pirojsha, a Columbia University grad, was appointed chief executive of fast-expanding property arm Godrej Properties. Daughter Nisaba is considered favorite to head listed Godrej Consumer Products.

Fast facts

His biography, published by Penguin, is being released in December. He’s currently president of the Confederation of Indian Industry.