Take a look at the latest compilation of top 5 richest women in India.
Before listing the top 5 richest women in India, let’s briefly dive into the past.
While sifting through the pages of Indian history, one is sure to find women leaders who have shaped the course of history. From Savitribai Phule, who fought for women’s right to be educated, to brave hearts like Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi who put up a brave front against the oppressive colonists, India is no stranger to strong women leaders that defied odds and shone like the bright full moon on a dark night.
Having said that, Indian society is patriarchal, and most women often find it difficult to break the shackles of traditional norms and achieve financial independence and individual freedom. Male domination continues to be the norm, and therefore the richest women in India deserve an honourable mention as they have thrived in an environment characterised by stiff competition. Read about the top 5 richest women in India briefly in the following sections.
Top 5 richest women in India
Roshni Nadar Malhotra
As the Chairperson of HCL Technologies – the fourth-biggest IT organisation in India – Roshni Nadar takes the crown of the richest women in India. Under the patronage of her father Shiv Nadar, the founder of the company and a business tycoon, she was appointed as CEO and Executive Director of HCL. She was subsequently promoted to her current position after Shiv Nadar stepped down as the premier. According to Business Insider, the tech billionaire is worth 84,330 crore rupees as of March 2023. Her net-worth skyrocketed by 54 percent in 2021 after HCL made the largest purchase in its history to acquire products worth 13,740 rupees from IBM, as reported by Hurun.
Falguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar is the Founder and CEO of Nykaa, a retail beauty and lifestyle entity. Her wealth reportedly catapulted by 964 percent in 2021 on the back of an IPO released by her organization. She replaced Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to become the second richest woman in India last year. Nayar is celebrated as a self-made woman and her current reported net worth is approximately 20,412 crore rupees as of May 2023, according to Forbes. She was born and brought up in Mumbai and did her post-graduation from IIM Ahmedabad. Prior to establishing Nykaa, Nayar was the Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Capital. She resigned from her previous position in 2012 and founded Nykaa in the same year.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw holds a degree in brewing and tried to make an in-road into the liquor industry before she stepped into the pharmaceutical sector. Subsequently, she helped her organization, Biocon, receive a USFDA license to produce cholesterol drugs. Her wealth surged exponentially after the launch of a successful IPO. Last year, the company acquired Viatris, an American healthcare firm for a reported sum of 3 billion dollars. The Indian billionaire businesswoman has a reported net worth of 18,779 crore rupees as of May 2023 according to Forbes. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw completed her Bachelor’s in Zoology in 1973 and previously worked as a trainee brewer at Carlton and United Breweries.
Nilima Motaparti
With a reported net worth of 28,180 crore rupees as of March 2023, the Director of Divi’s Laboratories, Nilima Motaparti, makes the cut to the list as one of the wealthiest females in India. She is the daughter of Divi’s Laboratories Founder, Murli Krishna Motaparti. Her educational qualifications include a master’s degree in international finance from Glasgow University. The Indian female business magnate manages the organisation’s procurement and material sourcing, investor relations, and corporate finance. Her net worth reportedly appreciated by 51 percent in 2021.
Radha Vembu
As a Co-Founder of Zoho, Vembu has amassed a fortune of 18,804 crore rupees as of May 2023 as reported by Forbes. She is the largest stakeholder of the Chennai-based Zoho, a tech entity known for formulating software and web-based tools. Vembu graduated in industrial management from IIT Madras and co-founded the tech company with her elder brother, Sridhar Vembu. She has been the product manager of Zoho Mail since 2007, and the tech entity has grown by leaps and bounds since. Her net wealth jumped 127 percent in 2021 on the back of the company’s rise.
Conclusion
The topic of the richest women in India cannot be completed without addressing the low workforce participation of women in India. Women constitute only 19.4 percent of India’s labour force as of 2021-2022. This negatively impacts the Indian economy and is a major roadblock in India’s endeavour to become a developed country. The following are some points that the Indian government and society should seriously consider.
• Build a society based on gender equality by promoting egalitarian values.
• The government should ensure the proper implementation of schemes meant for the betterment of women.
• Conceptualise programmes and strategies to increase the participation of females in the workforce.
• Create an environment where women are encouraged to voice their opinions freely.
• Discourage regressive customs and strive for social reform.
This concludes our piece on the top 5 richest women in India.
Also Read – Why the world requires more women in leadership positions?
