India, a land of vast economic opportunities, has seen the rise of numerous wealthy women who have made significant contributions to various industries. These powerful women have not only amassed substantial wealth but have also become influential figures in the business world. Leading the list of the richest women in India is Savitri Jindal followed by the second Indian richest woman is Rekha Jhunjhunwala and more who have also carved their niches in the corporate world.
Their success stories are marked by innovation, leadership, and resilience, showcasing their ability to break barriers and set new benchmarks. These women are not just symbols of wealth but also of inspiration, driving change and encouraging future generations of women entrepreneurs in India. Let’s delve into the profiles of some of India’s wealthiest and most influential women in business today.
List of top 10 India’s richest women
Richest Indian women 2024
Savitri Jindal
At 73 years old, Savitri Jindal holds the top spot among India’s wealthiest women. She serves as the chairperson emeritus of OP Jindal Group, a position she assumed after her husband O.P. Jindal’s death in 2005. Notably, she stands as India’s sole female billionaire among the nation’s top ten richest individuals in 2024. Apart from her business acumen, Jindal has ventured into politics, securing a Haryana Vidhan Sabha seat from Hisar in 2005 and subsequently being reelected in 2009. Her leadership led to her appointment as a cabinet minister in the Haryana government in 2013.
Rekha Jhunjhunwala
Aged 59, Rekha Jhunjhunwala has stepped into the role left by her late husband Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Inheriting his substantial stock portfolio, she has emerged as one of India’s wealthiest women. Her investments span 29 companies, including prominent names like Titan, Tata Motors, and Crisil.
Vinod Gupta
Now 79, Vinod Gupta, along with her son Anil Rai Gupta, oversees Havells India, a key player in India’s electrical equipment industry. Founded by Vinod’s late husband Qimat Rai Gupta, Havells operates 14 manufacturing facilities globally and maintains a presence in over 50 countries.
Renuka Jagtiani
Aged 70, Renuka Jagtiani serves as the chairwoman and CEO of the Landmark Group, a global consumer conglomerate headquartered in Dubai. Established by her spouse, Micky Jagtiani, the group has significantly expanded its footprint in retail and hospitality sectors worldwide and is in the category of one of the richest women in India. Over two decades, Jagtiani has played a pivotal role in steering the company’s strategic growth, overseeing more than 50,000 employees.
Anu Aga
At 81, Anu Aga joined Thermax, an engineering firm founded by her husband, in the 1980s. Following his passing, she assumed leadership in 1996 until stepping down in 2004, allowing her daughter Meher Pudumjee to take over. Aga made a notable return to India’s Richest List in 2022 after her initial inclusion in 2014. She has also served as a member of Parliament, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2012, and co-founded Teach for India.
Smita Crishna
Aged 73, Smita Crishna-Godrej holds a significant 20% stake in the Godrej Group’s assets. Her acquisition of Mehrangir, the former residence of nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha in South Mumbai, made headlines, underscoring the family’s control over the $5.2 billion Godrej Group.
Radha Vembu
At 51, Radha Vembu co-founded Zoho, a Chennai-based technology company, where she serves as the product manager for Zoho Mail. Under her leadership, Zoho’s revenue surpassed $1 billion in 2021, marking a 127% increase in her wealth during the same period and today she is under one the Indian richest women. She oversees Zoho Workplace and contributes to the development of over 45 products at Zoho Corporation.
Leena Gandhi Tewari
Aged 66, Leena Gandhi Tewari chairs USV, a global pharmaceutical and biotech company founded by her father, Vithal Gandhi, and Revlon in 1961. USV specialises in diabetic and cardiovascular drugs, with a portfolio encompassing biosimilar drugs, injectables, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Notably, USV acquired German generics firm Juta Pharma in 2018.
Falguni Nayar
At 60, Falguni Nayar transitioned from investment banking to entrepreneurship, achieving a remarkable 963% surge in wealth in 2021 following the successful IPO of Nykaa. This catapulted her into India’s wealthiest self-made female billionaires and earned her global recognition among self-made billionaires. Before Nykaa, Nayar served as managing director at Kotak Mahindra Capital.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Aged 70, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon, a biopharmaceutical company, from her garage in 1978. Biocon’s substantial growth, including acquiring Viatris’ biosimilars business in the US for $3 billion, significantly contributed to her wealth and prominence in the industry.
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