Billionaire Profile
Gautam Adani
Global Rank
#24

Image: Gautam Adani | CC BY 3.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Gautam Adani

CEO, Infrastructure
INDIA
Real-Time Net Worth
$81.264B
Estimated based on Infrastructure stock value as of May 16, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
63
Source
Infrastructure, commodities
Industry
Diversified
Citizenship
INDIA

Biography

Gautam Shantilal Adani is an Indian billionaire businessman, and the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate. Born on June 24, 1962, he is currently 63 years old and is ranked as the 31st richest person globally as of March 2026, with a net worth of $56.3 billion, having a source of wealth in infrastructure and commodities. His career began in 1978 when he moved to Mumbai and has since built a diversified empire. Adani's career has seen him achieve significant milestones in the infrastructure, port development, and energy sectors. He is also known for his philanthropy through the Adani Foundation.

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Updated 5/16/2026
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Wealth Over Time

Career Milestones

  1. 1

    Began Career

    Moved to Mumbai and worked as a diamond sorter for Mahendra Brothers.

  2. 2

    Managed Plastic Unit

    Managed his elder brother's plastic unit in Ahmedabad.

  3. 3

    Founded Adani Group

    Established Adani Group as a commodities trading firm.

  4. 4

    Adani Enterprises Incorporated

    Adani Exports Limited (later Adani Enterprises) was incorporated.

  5. 5

    Mundra Port Development

    Started developing Mundra Port, which became India's largest private port.

  6. 6

    Adani Power Founded

    Founded Adani Power.

  7. 7

    Adani Enterprises Rebranding

    Adani Exports Limited was renamed Adani Enterprises Limited.

  8. 8

    Airport Operations

    Acquired management of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad).

  9. 9

    Renewable Energy Entry

    Commissioned first solar power plant.

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$81.264B
2025$63.8B

Philanthropy

Adani Foundation

$Undisclosed
Community Development

The Adani Foundation focuses on education, healthcare, and community development.

Controversies & Legal

2023

Hindenburg Research Report

Accusations of stock manipulation and fraud by Hindenburg Research.

2024

Bribery Charges

Charged by US authorities for alleged bribery scheme to secure contracts in India.

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Gautam Adani was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on June 24, 1962. He is from a Gujarati Jain family. He has seven siblings, and his parents migrated from a town in northern Gujarat. Adani's father was a small textile merchant. Adani studied at Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyalaya school in Ahmedabad. However, he dropped out at the age of 16. He showed a keen interest in business, but not in his father's textile business.

Rise to Success

Adani moved to Mumbai in 1978, where he worked as a diamond sorter for Mahendra Brothers. In 1981, he managed his brother's plastic unit in Ahmedabad, leading him to global trading through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) imports. He established the Adani Group in 1988, initially as a commodities trading firm. The company expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions and with the support of the Indian government. In 1994, Adani Exports, now Adani Enterprises, was listed.

Key Business Strategies

A key strategy was developing Mundra Port, now India's largest private port, which facilitated significant growth. The Adani Group diversified into various sectors, including energy, logistics, and infrastructure. Adani Power was founded in 1996. The group also entered the renewable energy sector with Adani Green Energy, which has a significant operational capacity. Strategic acquisitions, such as the acquisition of Ambuja Cements and ACC, have been crucial to the group's expansion.

Philanthropy

Adani's wife, Priti Adani, chairs the Adani Foundation, which is dedicated to education, healthcare, and community development. The foundation has implemented various initiatives to uplift communities and improve rural infrastructure.

Career Milestones

1978

Began Career

Moved to Mumbai and worked as a diamond sorter for Mahendra Brothers.

1981

Managed Plastic Unit

Managed his elder brother's plastic unit in Ahmedabad.

1988

Founded Adani Group

Established Adani Group as a commodities trading firm.

1993

Adani Enterprises Incorporated

Adani Exports Limited (later Adani Enterprises) was incorporated.

1998

Mundra Port Development

Started developing Mundra Port, which became India's largest private port.

1996

Adani Power Founded

Founded Adani Power.

2006

Adani Enterprises Rebranding

Adani Exports Limited was renamed Adani Enterprises Limited.

2015

Airport Operations

Acquired management of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad).

2016

Renewable Energy Entry

Commissioned first solar power plant.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Community Development

Adani Foundation

Undisclosed

The Adani Foundation focuses on education, healthcare, and community development.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“I had no legacy to follow - but I had the opportunity to create a legacy.”"

Controversies & Challenges

2023

Hindenburg Research Report

Accusations of stock manipulation and fraud by Hindenburg Research.

2024

Bribery Charges

Charged by US authorities for alleged bribery scheme to secure contracts in India.

Latest News & Analysis

Uber & Adani: A Marriage of Convenience or a Forging of a New Indian Tech Titan?
Analysis5/13/2026

Uber & Adani: A Marriage of Convenience or a Forging of a New Indian Tech Titan?

Uber, the global rideshare giant, is betting big on India, partnering with Gautam Adani's Adani Group to establish its first Indian data center. This move isn't just about infrastructure; it's a strategic land grab, a power play to secure future dominance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The deal reshapes the Indian tech ecosystem, raising questions about data sovereignty, market consolidation, and the ambitions of two titans.

Read Story
Adani & Uber: A Data Center Deal That Rewrites India's Tech Future (and Gautam's Empire)
Analysis5/13/2026

Adani & Uber: A Data Center Deal That Rewrites India's Tech Future (and Gautam's Empire)

This deal, more than a simple data center partnership, is a tectonic shift. It cements Gautam Adani's dominance in India's infrastructure and technology sectors, while simultaneously giving Uber critical leverage in its high-stakes battle for the Indian market. Expect regulatory scrutiny and a wave of new partnerships in the coming months as competitors scramble to respond.

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Nadella's Dance with the Devil: Microsoft's Faustian Bargain in the Shadow of Adani's Alleged Fraud
Analysis12/18/2025

Nadella's Dance with the Devil: Microsoft's Faustian Bargain in the Shadow of Adani's Alleged Fraud

Satya Nadella, the architect of Microsoft's cloud dominance, has been spotted in a 'pleasurable' meeting with Gautam Adani, the Indian tycoon facing U.S. fraud charges. This is not just a photo op; it’s a strategic play that exposes Microsoft's global ambitions and the ethical compromises required to fuel them. Expect this alliance to reshape the tech landscape in India and beyond, but at what cost to Microsoft's reputation and potential legal liabilities?

Read Story