Published By: Sayan Paul

Meet Savitri Devi Jindal, The ONLY Woman In Top 10 Of Fortune India-Waterfield Advisors 2024 Ranking

According to a report by Fortune India, the collective wealth of India's wealthiest people has exceeded the $1 trillion mark.

"... this showcases a remarkable growth in wealth despite global economic challenges." - Fortune India

According to a report by Fortune India, the collective wealth of the richest Indians (with ‘dollar billionaire’ status) has exceeded the staggering $1 trillion mark, reaching $1.19 trillion. What's more interesting is this year's list features as many as 29 new billionaires from various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, information technology, and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) among others.

Credit: Business Standard

The Fortune India-Waterfield Advisors 2024 ranking suggests that India currently has 185 'dollar billionaires'. And their collective wealth stands at $1.19 trillion, roughly a 50% rise from $832 billion in 2022 (when there were 142 dollar billionaires in India). Also, it's equivalent to 33.81 percent of India’s nominal GDP (gross domestic product).

Credit: fortune.india

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Group, tops the list with a wealth of Rs 10.5 trillion. Adani Group's Gautam Adani occupies the second spot with Rs 10.4 trillion, followed by the Mistry family, Savitri Devi Jindal, Shiv Nadar, and Radhakishan Damani among others.

Savitri Devi Jindal - The Only Woman in the Top 10 List

Well, Savitri Devi Jindal, the chairperson of the Jindal Group, is the only woman to have featured in the top 10 list (with $33.06 billion of wealth). As we congratulate her for this remarkable achievement, let's have a look at the journey that led her here.

Early Life

Savitri Devi was born in Tinsukia, Assam, on March 20, 1940. She married Om Prakash Jindal, the founder of the Jindal Group, in the 1950s.

Born into a farmer family in Haryana, Om Prakash started his career as an entrepreneur at the age of 22 with a small bucket-manufacturing unit. Later, he founded business enterprises such as Jindal Steel and Power, JSW Group, and Jindal Stainless Limited under the Jindal Organization - which went on to become incredibly successful with time.

From A Homemaker To A Businesswoman

Om Prakash Jindal passed away in 2005 after a helicopter crash. Savitri Devi, over 60 years old at that time, took over the company and went ahead to play a significant role in its growth.

Under her leadership, Jindal Steel and Power Limited became one of India's largest steel producers. And she expanded its capabilities of steel manufacturing enormously with time. It currently manufactures and sells sponge iron, mild steel slabs, rails, mild steel, structural, hot rolled plates, iron ore pellets, and coils. On the other hand, it became a strong player in the power sector as well, with its coal gas-based steel tech becoming a case study at Harvard University.

Credit: The Times Of India

Thanks to Savitri Devi's business strategies, the Jindal Group has ventured into several other sectors, including infrastructure, cement, and more. Notably, its turnover has increased over four times ever since she took over as the group's chairperson.

Beyond A Businesswoman - A Politician, A Philanthropist, And More

Savitri Devi is currently the richest woman in India and the 50th richest person in the world. However, what's also essential to acknowledge is there's much more to her than her business endeavors.

Following in the footsteps of her husband, she entered politics in the 2000s. She contested the Hisar assembly seat of Haryana on a Congress ticket from where she won twice, in 2005 and 2009. She became the cabinet minister in the Haryana Government on 29 October 2013.

Credit: Desh Ka Verdict

Besides, she is an active philanthropist and has spearheaded numerous charitable activities over the years. Also, several schools and medical institutions are run by the Jindal Group.

Credit: MAMC AGROHA

Overall, Savitri Devi Jindal is an inspiration for every woman who dreams big!