Gautam Adani, born on June 24, 1962, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is an Indian businessman and philanthropist. He founded the $32 billion Adani Group in 1988, beginning as a commodity trading firm and expanding into various sectors, including ports, airports, power generation, and green energy.
Despite dropping out of school due to a lack of interest in academics, Adani’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to Mumbai at the age of 18, where he worked in the diamond industry and later established his own successful diamond brokerage company.
In 1988, he founded Adani Group, which has grown into a multinational conglomerate operating in 50 countries across 70 locations. Adani holds significant stakes in various companies within the group, including Adani Ports & SEZ Limited, Adani Power, Adani Enterprises, and Adani Transmission Limited.
Adani’s business ventures expanded globally, including the acquisition of Abbot Point, a coal mining project in Australia, and riding on the support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He became India’s second-largest cement producer in 2022 after acquiring Holcim’s Indian assets for $10.5 billion.
Adani has faced scrutiny, particularly in January 2023 when U.S. firm Hindenburg Research accused him and his companies of financial fraud and stock market manipulation, allegations denied by the Adani Group.
He has expressed a commitment to green energy, aiming to invest up to $70 billion in renewable energy projects, aligning with his vision to become the world’s largest producer of green energy. The empire’s annual revenue hits a high note at $13 billion.
Gautam Adani, along with his wife Priti Adani, is actively involved in philanthropy through the Adani Foundation, focusing on education, sustainable resources, rural development, and healthcare.
As of July 21, 2022, Adani’s net worth was reported to be $115.7 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Despite controversies, his business acumen and diversified ventures have contributed to his success and influence in India and beyond.
From being India’s second-wealthiest individual in 2019 to surpassing Bill Gates and claiming the 4th spot on the global rich list with a valuation of $115.7 billion, Adani’s rise is nothing short of a Bollywood script written in business gold.
The saga continues as Adani’s net worth hits a staggering $97.1 billion, making him a living legend in the world of business.