Who is Anil Agarwal?
Anil Agarwal is one of India’s most influential industrialists and philanthropists. He is best known as the Founder and Chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited, a global natural resources company with operations across metals, mining, oil, and gas. From starting his journey as a scrap metal trader to becoming a billionaire business leader with a worldwide footprint, Anil Agarwal’s life is a classic story of struggle, vision, risk-taking, and resilience.
He is admired not only for building a massive business empire but also for his strong belief in giving back to society, having pledged to donate 75% of his wealth to social causes.
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Anil Agarwal |
| Date of Birth | 24 January 1954 |
| Age | 72 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Industrialist, Businessman |
| Known For | Founder & Chairman of Vedanta Resources |
| Education | Early education only |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Kiran Agarwal |
| Children | Two (including daughter Priya Agarwal) |
| Current Residence | London, United Kingdom |
| Net Worth | Multi-billionaire (varies with markets) |
| Philanthropy Pledge | 75% of personal wealth |
Anil Agarwal Early Life
Anil Agarwal was born in Patna, Bihar, into a modest Marwari family. His father ran a small aluminum conductors business, which exposed young Anil to the basics of trade and manufacturing at a very early age. Life was not easy, and resources were limited, but these early struggles shaped his mindset.
From childhood, Anil Agarwal was observant, curious, and practical. He learned the importance of money, risk, and discipline by watching his father’s business. Unlike many wealthy industrialists who inherit large companies, Anil Agarwal started with almost nothing.
At the age of 15, he made a bold decision that would change his life forever — he dropped out of school and moved to Mumbai to try his luck in business.
Anil Agarwal Education
Anil Agarwal did not complete formal higher education. He left school early, which makes his success story even more remarkable. While he lacked academic degrees, he compensated with:
- Sharp business instincts
- Strong negotiation skills
- Practical market knowledge
- Willingness to take risks
He often says that real-world experience became his biggest teacher. Over the years, his learning came from failures, market cycles, and hands-on business decisions rather than classrooms.
Anil Agarwal Family
Anil Agarwal belongs to a traditional Indian family and has always spoken about the importance of family values.
- Father: Small-scale businessman
- Mother: Homemaker
- Wife: Kiran Agarwal, who plays an active role in philanthropy
- Children: Two, including Priya Agarwal, who is associated with the Vedanta Group
Recent Personal Tragedy
In recent news, Anil Agarwal suffered a deep personal loss when his son Agnivesh Agarwal passed away at the age of 49 following medical complications abroad. The incident deeply affected him and led to emotional public statements, showing a very human side of the otherwise strong industrialist.
Anil Agarwal Career
Early Career – Scrap Metal Days
After moving to Mumbai in the early 1970s, Anil Agarwal started working as a scrap metal trader. His work involved buying and selling industrial scrap, which helped him understand:
- Metal pricing
- Supply-demand cycles
- Industrial operations
This phase laid the foundation of his future empire.
Foundation of Sterlite Industries
In 1976, Anil Agarwal founded Sterlite Industries, marking his formal entry into the metals business. The company initially focused on copper and aluminum and later expanded aggressively.
Sterlite’s growth was not smooth. There were financial struggles, debt issues, and market volatility, but Agarwal remained focused on long-term growth.
Birth of Vedanta Resources
In 2003, Anil Agarwal made history by listing Vedanta Resources on the London Stock Exchange. This move transformed Vedanta into a global player and brought international attention to Indian entrepreneurship.
Vedanta expanded into:
- Zinc (Hindustan Zinc)
- Aluminium
- Copper
- Iron ore
- Oil & gas
The group made major acquisitions in India, Africa, and Australia.
Growth into a Global Conglomerate
Under Anil Agarwal’s leadership, Vedanta became one of the world’s largest producers of zinc and a key player in natural resources.
His leadership style is known for:
- Bold acquisitions
- Counter-cyclical investing
- Long-term vision
Despite facing criticism and controversies, Agarwal always focused on scale, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Death of Anil Agarwal’s Son (Personal Tragedy)
Anil Agarwal is alive and continues to lead his business and social work. However, he faced a very painful personal loss in recent times.
His son, Agnivesh Agarwal, passed away at the age of 49 in late 2025. According to reports, Agnivesh Agarwal had met with a skiing accident while abroad. After the accident, he was admitted to a hospital in the United States (New York) for treatment.
During medical care, he suffered heart-related complications, and sadly, he could not survive. His death shocked the Agarwal family and the Indian business community.
Anil Agarwal Personal Life
Anil Agarwal lives a relatively simple and disciplined personal life despite his wealth. He is known for:
- Early morning routines
- Spiritual thinking
- Deep interest in Indian philosophy
- Strong emotional attachment to India
He frequently shares motivational thoughts and business lessons on social media, inspiring young entrepreneurs.
Controversy
As a large industrialist, Anil Agarwal and Vedanta Group have faced environmental and regulatory controversies, especially related to mining operations and industrial plants.
However:
- No personal criminal cases have been proven against him
- He maintains that Vedanta follows sustainability and compliance
- The company has invested heavily in ESG initiatives
Overall, Anil Agarwal maintains a strong personal reputation with ongoing efforts toward responsible business.
Anil Agarwal Social Media
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
| X (Twitter) | @AnilAgarwal_Ved | 213K+ |
| Anil Agarwal | 400K+ | |
| @anilagarwal_vedanta | 337K+ |
Anil Agarwal Net Worth
| Source | Estimated Value |
| Business Holdings | Multi-billion USD |
| Vedanta Shares | Major wealth contributor |
| Investments | Metals, mining, oil |
| Philanthropy Pledge | 75% of wealth |
Anil Agarwal Net worth is 3.66 lakh crore ($4.2 billion).
Anil Agarwal Physical Appearance
| Feature | Details |
| Height | Approx. 5’6” |
| Hair Color | Black (graying) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Appearance | Simple, traditional |
Interesting Facts about Anil Agarwal
- Left school at 15, not due to failure but ambition
Anil Agarwal dropped out of school very early because he wanted to earn and support himself. Instead of waiting for degrees, he chose real-world business learning. - Started his career by selling scrap metal
His first business was buying and selling scrap metal in Mumbai. This small start helped him understand metals, pricing, and industrial demand—skills that later built Vedanta. - Built a global company without an MBA or engineering degree
Despite no formal higher education, he created one of the world’s largest natural resources companies, proving that vision and execution matter more than certificates. - Listed an Indian-founded company on the London Stock Exchange
Vedanta became one of the few Indian-origin companies to be listed in London, giving global recognition to Indian entrepreneurship. - Believes wealth has no value unless shared
He has publicly pledged to donate 75% of his personal wealth to social causes, especially education, health, and women empowerment. - Strong emotional and spiritual personality
Anil Agarwal often talks about spirituality, inner strength, and gratitude. He believes success is temporary but values and purpose are permanent. - Shares leadership lessons directly with young Indians
Through social media, he regularly posts motivational thoughts, business lessons, and life experiences to guide young entrepreneurs. - Turned criticism into long-term reforms
Even after facing environmental and regulatory criticism, he pushed Vedanta toward sustainability, ESG initiatives, and community development. - Lives simply despite being a billionaire
Known for his simple clothing, calm behavior, and disciplined lifestyle, he avoids flashy public appearances. - Personal loss deepened his philanthropic commitment
After facing a tragic loss in his family, he reaffirmed his commitment to social service, showing how personal pain shaped his purpose.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Anil Agarwal?
Anil Agarwal is an Indian billionaire industrialist and founder of Vedanta Resources.
Q2. What is Anil Agarwal famous for?
He is known for building Vedanta Group and his large-scale philanthropy pledge.
Q3. Is Anil Agarwal self-made?
Yes, he is completely self-made.
Q4. Where does Anil Agarwal live now?
He currently resides in London, UK.
Q5. What companies does Vedanta own?
Vedanta operates in zinc, aluminium, oil & gas, iron ore, and copper.
Q6. Has Anil Agarwal faced controversies?
Yes, mainly related to environmental concerns around Vedanta projects.
Q7. What is his philanthropy commitment?
He has pledged to donate 75% of his wealth.
Q8. Is Anil Agarwal active on social media?
Yes, he regularly shares thoughts on X and LinkedIn.
Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals, etc. at Leader Biography.
