Women often face unique challenges and roadblocks in their climb to the top, and there’s always something to learn from their success stories. However, determining the wealthiest women of a nation can be challenging, especially with ever changing information. This article provides an up-to-date list of the richest women in India, so that you can gain valuable insights from their success stories and make sound financial decisions.
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Top 10 Richest Women in India
It can be intimidating to know who the richest women in India are. But it takes a lot of work to keep track of who’s on India’s high-powered women’s list. Plus, it’s hard to analyze with the constant fluctuations in rankings.
Here’s a list of the 10 wealthiest women in India. Get ready to know about some of India’s most successful and influential female entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and businesswomen!
1. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
- Wealth: Rs. 84,330 crores
- Sector: Technology
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the daughter of billionaire industrialist Shiv Nadar, took over as the chairperson of HCL Technologies, a leading IT services company in India, in June 2020. She is responsible for overseeing all strategic decisions for the $12 billion tech giant. Her main source of income stems from her role as the chairperson of this multi-billion-dollar tech firm. In 2019, Forbes recognized her as the 54th-most powerful woman in the world.
After completing her Bachelor of Science in Communication from Northwestern University in the United States, she pursued an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
In July 2020, Malhotra succeeded her father as the chairperson of HCL, while also serving as a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to promoting education and has established prestigious colleges and schools in India.
Roshni Nadar comes from a privileged background, with her father, Shiv Nadar, having a net worth exceeding $24.7 billion, making him the third-richest person in India, following Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani. She is married to Shikhar Malhotra, an executive director at HCL Corporation, and they have two children.
Alongside her business endeavors, Roshni Nadar is renowned for her philanthropic work. She founded and chairs the Shiv Nadar Foundation, a non-profit organization that strives to advance education and healthcare in India. The foundation has constructed numerous schools and colleges and provides scholarships to disadvantaged students. She established The Ecosystems Trust, aiming to safeguard some of India’s natural areas. Furthermore, she serves as the chair of VidyaGyan Leadership Academy, an organization dedicated to training leaders from underprivileged backgrounds.
2. Falguni Nayar
- Wealth: Rs. 57,520 crores
- Sector: E-commerce
Falguni Sanjay Nayar, the founder and CEO of Nykaa, a popular beauty and lifestyle retail company, established the business under the name FSN E-Commerce Ventures, which was derived from her initials.
Hailing from a Gujarati family in Mumbai, Falguni Nayar’s father was a businessman who operated a small bearings company, with her mother assisting him. In 1987, Falguni Nayar married Sanjay Nayar, whom she met during their time at business school. Sanjay Nayar currently serves as the CEO of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts India. The couple has two children named Adwaita Nayar and Anchit Nayar. Adwaita Nayar holds the position of CEO at Nykaa Fashion, while Anchit Nayar oversees the retail and e-commerce divisions.
Falguni Nayar pursued her undergraduate degree at Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics. She furthered her education with a postgraduate course at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, graduating in 1985.
Following her stint as a consultant at A. F. Ferguson & Co., Falguni Nayar joined the Kotak Mahindra Group in 1993. Initially, she led the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) team and later established institutional equities offices in London and New York City. In 2001, she returned to India. In 2005, Falguni Nayar was appointed as the managing director of Kotak Mahindra Capital. However, she chose to step away from her lucrative position to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions. In April 2012, she founded Nykaa with her own investment of $2 million.
With Nykaa’s subsequent IPO, Falguni Nayar became the wealthiest self-made female entrepreneur in India. Since then, Nykaa has become a prominent cosmetics store in India, revolutionizing the beauty industry by offering a wide range of beauty products and catering to the diverse demands of consumers. Through her efforts, the company’s value soared from its humble beginnings to an impressive $2.3 billion by 2021.
Also Read: Nykaa IPO Review: Date, Price and Analysis
3. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
- Wealth: Rs. 29,030 crores
- Sector: Pharma
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, born on March 23, 1953, is a highly successful businesswoman hailing from India and is renowned as a multimillionaire. She is the founder and executive chairman of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, that are prominent companies in India. Notably, she is recognized as one of the wealthiest women in the country. Her father held the position of chief brewer at United Breweries.
To gain more knowledge about the industry, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw briefly left Ireland and worked as a trainee manager at Cork’s Biocon Biochemicals Limited. It was during this period that she acquired valuable insights. Armed with a seed investment of Rs. 10,000, she established Biocon India in 1978, starting from the garage of her rented residence in Bengaluru. In 2004, Mazumdar-Shaw founded the Biocon Foundation, a division dedicated to corporate social responsibility.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw currently serves as an independent director on the board of Infosys. The Biocon Foundation primarily focuses on health, education, and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas of Karnataka where access to medical services is limited. Collaborating with Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital, she played a crucial role in formulating the Arogya Raksha Yojana.
Through this program, the Biocon Foundation establishes clinics that provide primary health screenings, affordable generic medications, and clinical treatment to individuals who cannot afford these services.
More recently, Kiran has played a leading role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. She spearheaded the transformation of Biocon labs for testing purposes and repurposed drugs to aid COVID-19 patients. Moreover, through the Biocon Foundation, she addresses the economic needs of those affected by the pandemic. Kiran’s ultimate objective remains the development of affordable blockbuster drugs with the potential to benefit billions of patients.
4. Nilima Motaparti
- Wealth: Rs. 28,180 crores
- Sector: Pharma
Nilima Motaparti, the daughter of Murali Krishna Divi, the founder of Divis Laboratories, is considered one of the wealthiest women in India. She obtained her master’s degree in international finance from Glasgow University. Currently, Nilima Motaparti oversees various aspects of Divis Laboratories, including material sourcing and procurement, corporate finance, and investor relations. According to sources, her wealth increased by 51% in 2021.
Having gained approximately five years of experience in material requirement, financing, and accounting, Nilima Motaparti joined Divis Labs in 2012. She is reported to possess a 20.34% stake in the company. Her father, Murali Divi, is renowned as one of the wealthiest scientists globally, with a net worth of USD 5.8 billion. Divis Labs ranks among the top three manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), with a market capitalization of approximately Rs 1.3 lakh crore (over $17 billion).
According to Forbes, her father is an Accidental Chemist. Nilima managed all facets of Divis Laboratories’ during the previous five years as a director of Divis Laboratories.
5. Radha Vembu
- Wealth: Rs. 26,260 crores
- Sector: Technology
Radha Vembu, the co-founder of Zoho Corporation, a software development company based in Chennai, has recently been recognized as the second wealthiest woman in the software and services industry on the Hurun Global Rich List 2023. Over the past year, her wealth has experienced significant growth, propelling her up 103 positions in the prestigious ranking. Radha Vembu is a self-made entrepreneur who maintains a private persona and holds the belief that the quality of a product holds more importance than the individuals behind it.
Now 50 years old, she was born in Chennai on December 24, 1972, to Sambamurthy Vembu, a stenographer for the Madras High Court. Her educational background includes primary schooling at the National Higher Secondary School in Chennai, followed by a degree in industrial management from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
In collaboration with her brother, Sridhar Vembu, a recipient of the Padma Shri award, Radha Vembu co-founded Zoho Corporation in 1996. The company, which began with a team of engineers, has grown exponentially and now employs over 16,000 individuals across various countries such as the United States, India, and China.
Radha Vembu’s primary source of wealth stems from her ownership stake in Zoho Corporation. As the product manager for Zoho Mail, the company’s email services, she takes charge of its day-to-day operations, encompassing product development, customer support, and sales. The company, which has its global headquarters in Chennai, has 12 offices spread across nine nations and more than 60 million users. One of their largest branches is a 375-acre campus in Austin, Texas.
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6. Leena Gandhi Tewari
- Wealth: Rs. 24,280 crores
- Sector: Pharma
Leena Gandhi Tewari, known for her privacy and avoidance of media attention, is the heiress to an immense pharmaceutical fortune. She holds the position of Chairperson at USV India, a privately held company that ranks among the top five in India for cardiovascular and diabetic medicines. The company specializes in manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), injectables, and biosimilar drugs. USV’s anti-diabetic formulation, Glycoment, is one of the leading products in the domestic industry.
Leena Gandhi Tewari is the granddaughter of Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, also known as the American Gandhi for returning to India after receiving an education in the United States. Her grandfather established USV Pharma, which has grown to become one of the foremost manufacturers of cardiovascular and diabetic drugs, as well as biosimilars. Her husband Prashant, an Indian Institute of Technology graduate and Cornell mechanical engineer, is the CEO of the $511 million (sales) business. After completing her studies at Mumbai University and earning a PhD in Molecular Biology from MIT in the US, Tewari took on the role of Chairperson at the family owned USV India.
She ranked 43rd on Forbes’ 2021 list of the wealthiest Indians and 859th on its 2021 list of the world’s top billionaires. The 64-year-old, who donated over $5 million, was ranked 23rd on the Hurun India Philanthropy List of 2019. She was placed third on the Hurun Report India Philanthropy List’s list of Women Philanthropists of 2019 and has actively participated in humanitarian causes. Among other charitable endeavors, Leena supports the Dr Sushila Gandhi Center for Underprivileged Women. The center trains girls through academic instruction, dancing, and computer use to promote their education and learning.
7. Anu Aga
- Wealth: Rs. 14,530 crores
- Sector: Capital goods
Anu Aga, a renowned figure in the field of energy and environment engineering, serves as the Director of Thermax Ltd, a leading company in that sector. Her association with the company began in 1985 when she joined under the leadership of her husband. However, tragedy struck in 1996 when her husband passed away, and Anu Aga assumed the role of director.
Born on August 3, 1942, in Bombay to a Parsi Zoroastrian family, Anu Aga completed her graduation in Economics from St. Xavier’s College. She further pursued her studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). Notably, Anu Aga was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled her to study in the United States for a period of four months.
Anu Aga’s personal life revolves around her marriage to Rohinton Aga, a Harvard Business School graduate, with whom she had two children, Meher and Kurush. Sadly, Rohinton Aga passed away in 1996 due to a massive stroke. Tragically, their son Kurush also passed away at the young age of 25.
In 2004, Anu Aga made the decision to step down as chairman, passing the torch to her daughter Meher, who holds a degree in chemical engineering from the United Kingdom. She oversees the appointment of executives and manages the day-to-day operations of Thermax with the help of her team.
Following her retirement from Thermax Ltd, Anu Aga dedicated herself to social work, an endeavor that earned her the prestigious Padma Shri for Social Work from the Government of India in 2010. Presently, she holds the position of Chairperson at Teach For India. In recognition of her contributions, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Pratibha Patil on April 26, 2012.
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8. Neha Narkhede
- Wealth: Rs. 13,380 crores
- Sector: Technology
Neha Narkhede, a self-made businesswoman from India, has achieved remarkable success in the United States. Born, raised, and educated in India, she ventured to the U.S. in 2006 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science at Georgia Tech. Neha Narkhede completed her engineering studies at Savitribai Phule Pune University before embarking on her career journey.
With an impressive professional background that includes prominent positions at renowned organizations like Oracle and LinkedIn, she made a significant impact as a software engineer. However, her true journey began when she made the decision to leave these companies, ultimately establishing herself as one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in the United States.
In 2014, Neha Narkhede co-founded a company called Confluent with two colleagues from LinkedIn, which quickly gained widespread recognition and achieved remarkable success. The company went public in 2021, garnering a valuation of $9.1 billion (over Rs 75,000 crore), with Neha Narkhede herself owning more than six percent of the company.
Currently, Neha Narkhede serves as the CEO of Oscilar, a fraud detection firm she founded in 2021. According to Forbes, the company went public in 2021 with a $9.1 billion valuation. She has personally invested nearly Rs 160 crore in the company, demonstrating her commitment to its success. During her tenure at LinkedIn, she played a pivotal role in the development of the messaging system known as Apache Kafka.
Acknowledging the influence of her father, Neha Narkhede credits him for her achievements. In an interview, she mentioned how her father curated books for her and shared stories of women who shattered societal barriers, fostering a sense of empowerment within her. Growing up, Neha Narkhede drew inspiration from reading about notable figures such as Indira Gandhi, Indra Nooyi, and Kiran Bedi, which further fueled her ambition and determination.
Her accomplishments have earned her the recognition of being ranked 50th on the Forbes list of the top 100 businesswomen in the United States. She is also the youngest self-made lady on the Hurun India Rich List 2023 this year. She is rated 336 on this IIFL List.
9. Vandana Lal
- Wealth: Rs. 6,810 crores
- Sector: Healthcare
Vandana Lal holds the position of Executive Director at Dr Lal PathLabs, a company founded in 1949 by the late SK Lal, who was a Junior Doctor in the British Army. SK Lal pursued further training in pathology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago after studying at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune.
In 1983, Vandana Lal joined the company and made significant contributions by introducing the Department of Histopathology & Cytopathology, which revolutionized the company’s operations. She obtained her MD (Pathology) from Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, and further pursued specialized training in Transplantation Immunology at the Karolinska Institute & Huddinge Hospital in Sweden.
The said Indian company, Dr. Lal PathLabs Limited, offers diagnostic and related medical testing services. The organization, which has its headquarters in New Delhi, provides a wide range of tests for blood, urine, and other human body viscera. She also oversees research and development at Dr. Lal PathLabs, whose net worth is $681 million.
With her expertise in Quality Assurance, Vandana Lal leads the implementation of quality processes across all Dr Lal PathLabs locations in India. Since 2007, she has been heading the Clinical Research Services and Research & Development wing of the company. As the Executive Director since 1995, Vandana Lal has been instrumental in driving the expansion efforts of the laboratory. She is also responsible for planning and executing new projects for Dr Lal PathLabs.
Also Read: The Top 10 Richest Women in the World
10. Renu Munjal
- Wealth: Rs. 6,620 crores
- Sector: Automobile
Renu Munjal holds the position of Managing Director at Hero MotoCorp and has previously served as the Executive Director of Hero MotoCorp. She is actively engaged in various philanthropic endeavors. Hero MotoCorp is renowned globally as one of the leading manufacturers of two-wheelers. Additionally, she serves as a director on the Board of Easy Bill.
Renu Munjal, who is the daughter-in-law of the late Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the founder of India’s Hero Group, is actively involved in numerous corporate social responsibility projects. Some notable initiatives include the establishment and management of a K12 school and a vocational training center. Renu Munjal is also one of BMU’s founders. Her late husband, Raman Kant Munjal, was one of the three sons of the esteemed patriarch. Renu Munjal’s son, Abhimanyu, currently holds the positions of joint Managing Director and CEO of Hero MotoCorp.
Moreover, Renu Munjal played a pivotal role as a founding member of BML Munjal University, which offers undergraduate courses as well as MBA programs. She also actively participates in initiatives related to women’s emancipation.
The richest women billionaires in India as of today are listed above. For the young people of this generation, these women serve as icons of inspiration and motivation.
