Anil Agarwal, Vedanta Group’s Founder, is Bihar’s richest man with ₹35,000 crore net worth. [Photo: PTI]
Industrialist Anil Agarwal, Founder and Chairman of Vedanta Group, has once again emerged as Bihar’s richest man. His family’s total wealth is valued at ₹35,000 crore, according to the Forbes India Rich List 2025.
Anil Agarwal also ranks 16th in India and 4th among global non-resident Indian wealth creators, as per the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025. Despite his UK residence today, his roots remain deeply connected to Patna.
Born on January 24, 1954, in Patna, Anil Agarwal is now 71 years old.
According to Forbes India 2025, Anil Agarwal’s net worth stands at $4.2 billion (₹35,000 crore).
In Indian currency, his fortune equals about ₹35,000 crore, placing him among India’s top 20 richest individuals.
He comes from a humble family background in Patna. Despite global success, he often speaks about his early days and struggles with affection and pride.
Anil Agarwal is married to Kiran Agarwal, who has stood by him since his early years in Mumbai.
The couple has two children — Agnivesh “Agar” Agarwal and Priya Agarwal Hebbar. Both are active in the Vedanta Group, contributing to the company’s next generation of leadership.
He grew up in a Marwadi family and studied at Miller School, but financial struggles ended his formal education early. At 19, he left his hometown with a tiffin box and bedding, determined to make it big in Mumbai. On his LinkedIn profile, he recalls trying nine different businesses — all of which failed.
Still, he didn’t give up. “My only dream was to build a company of my own,” Agarwal once said. That dream came true when he founded Vedanta Group in 1976.
These bold moves earned him the title “Metal King of India.” His fearless leadership transformed Vedanta from an Indian start-up into a global natural resources giant.
Anil Agarwal’s business success lies in strategic acquisitions, diversification, and a deep understanding of commodities. His journey from scrap trading to leading Vedanta shows how risk-taking and persistence can create billion-dollar enterprises.
Anil Agarwal became rich through hard work, vision, and resilience. After nine failed ventures, he built Vedanta with determination and smart investments. His key to success lies in taking risks and staying committed to his goals.
He often advises young entrepreneurs, “Be humble, be fearless.”
Agarwal has pledged 75% of his wealth for social causes under The Giving Pledge. His Nand Ghar project works to modernise Anganwadis, tackle child malnutrition, empower women, and improve education. He also supports grassroots sports and mentors India’s youth.
Anil Agarwal’s career began in the scrap metal trade in the mid-1970s. The business gave him valuable insights into industrial cycles and commodity pricing. In 1986, he founded Sterlite Industries, manufacturing jelly-filled cables.
His big break came in 1993, when Sterlite launched India’s first private copper smelter and refinery. Later, in 2001, Vedanta acquired Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL). These takeovers earned him the nickname “Metal King”.
Today, Vedanta Group operates across zinc, copper, aluminium, silver, power, nickel, oil & gas, and steel. Under Agarwal’s leadership, Vedanta has evolved from an Indian metals firm into a global natural resources giant.
Vedanta is now diversifying into semiconductors and display glass manufacturing, aligning with India’s electronics self-reliance mission. This move positions the company at the heart of India’s future technology ecosystem.
According to Hurun, Bihar now has six individuals in the 2025 rich list — up from four last year — signalling the state’s growing presence in wealth creation.
Anil Agarwal has pledged 75% of his wealth for social impact and is part of The Giving Pledge, joining global philanthropists committed to giving away most of their fortune.
His flagship initiative, Nand Ghar, works to modernise Anganwadis, fight child malnutrition, empower women, and improve rural education. He also invests in grassroots sports and mentors young entrepreneurs.
His message to India’s youth is simple yet powerful, “Be humble, be fearless.”
Anil Agarwal’s story — from a small-town boy with nine failed ventures to Bihar’s richest man and a global business leader — embodies resilience and vision. His success reflects India’s potential to build world-class enterprises rooted in determination, innovation, and purpose.
