Anil Agarwal

Anil Agarwal, born in 1954 in Patna, is the founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources, a global natural resources leader in metals, oil, and power. Raised in a modest family, he moved to Mumbai at 19, collecting scrap and trading cables before acquiring Shamsher Sterling in 1976. In 1986 he launched Sterlite Industries, pioneering India’s first private copper smelter in 1993. His bold acquisitions of Bharat Aluminium (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc (HZL) marked turning points, followed by Vedanta’s landmark London Stock Exchange listing in 2003—the first by an Indian company. Vedanta grew into a multinational spanning zinc, copper, aluminum, iron ore, oil, and gas with operations in India, Africa, Ireland, Namibia, and Australia. His net worth peaked near $20 billion, now closer to $10 billion. Through the Anil Agarwal Foundation, he funds rural healthcare, women’s empowerment, and education. Celebrated for resilience, philanthropy, and global entrepreneurship, Agarwal has been recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg, and international sustainability forums.

Timeline

1954: Born in Patna.

1976: Acquires Shamsher Sterling Corporation (cable business).

1986: Founds Sterlite Industries.

1993: Builds India’s first private copper smelter.

2001 - 02: Acquires Bharat Aluminium (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc (HZL).

2003: Lists Vedanta on London Stock Exchange.

2000s - 10s: Expands globally into zinc, copper, aluminum, iron ore, and oil.