Gautam Adani Biography- Gautam Shantilal Adani, one of India’s most prominent industrialists, was born on June 24, 1962, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He grew up in a modest Jain family with seven siblings. His father, Shantilal Adani, was a small textile merchant, and his mother, Shantaben Adani, managed the household. Despite coming from a business-oriented family, Gautam did not inherit wealth; instead, he built his empire from scratch.
From a young age, Gautam displayed entrepreneurial instincts. He attended Sheth C.N. Vidyalaya School in Ahmedabad and later enrolled in Gujarat University for a bachelor’s degree in commerce. However, he dropped out in his second year, as he was more interested in practical business opportunities than academic studies.
Early Career and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
In the early 1980s, Gautam Adani moved to Mumbai to seek work. He initially worked as a diamond sorter at Mahendra Brothers, a diamond trading firm. Within a few years, he ventured into trading himself and set up his own diamond brokerage business, which gave him his first taste of entrepreneurship and financial success.
In 1981, his elder brother Mahasukhbhai Adani bought a plastics unit in Ahmedabad and invited Gautam to run it. Gautam seized this opportunity and began importing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to India, marking his first major step into the world of international trade.
Founding of Adani Group
In 1988, Gautam Adani founded Adani Exports Limited, which later became Adani Enterprises Limited, the flagship company of the Adani Group. Initially, the company focused on agricultural commodities and power trading but soon diversified into multiple industries.
His big break came in 1995, when the Adani Group won the contract to operate Mundra Port in Gujarat. Starting as a small jetty, Mundra Port was transformed by Adani into India’s largest commercial port, a symbol of his ambitious vision.
Business Expansion
Over the decades, Gautam Adani expanded his business empire across key sectors that fuel India’s economy:
- Ports and Logistics: Today, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is the largest private port operator in India, handling a significant share of the country’s cargo movement.
- Energy and Power: Adani Power became one of the largest private thermal power producers in India, while Adani Green Energy emerged as one of the world’s biggest renewable energy companies.
- Mining and Resources: The group has operations in coal mining, both in India and abroad, including in Australia’s Carmichael coal mine.
- Airports: In recent years, Adani has taken control of several major airports, including those in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Jaipur, making him India’s largest airport operator.
- Telecom and Data: Through partnerships and expansions, Adani has entered data centers and telecom infrastructure.
- Food and Agriculture: The group is also involved in agri-business, including food processing and storage.
Achievements and Net Worth
By 2022, Gautam Adani briefly became the world’s second-richest person, with a net worth crossing $150 billion, according to Forbes. His rise was largely fueled by the rapid growth of Adani Group stocks and India’s booming infrastructure and energy sectors.
Even though the Hindenburg Research report in January 2023 led to a significant fall in Adani Group’s market capitalization, Gautam Adani’s companies recovered strongly over time, reflecting resilience and investor confidence. As of 2025, he continues to rank among the top 20 richest individuals globally, with a fortune exceeding $80 billion.
Personal Life
Gautam Adani is married to Priti Adani, a dentist by profession, who now serves as the chairperson of the Adani Foundation, the group’s philanthropic arm. The couple has two sons: Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ, and Jeet Adani, who is also involved in group businesses.
Adani survived a life-threatening incident in 1997, when he was kidnapped for ransom but later released. He also survived the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where he was staying at the time. These experiences profoundly shaped his outlook on life.
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in Forbes’ list of world’s most powerful people.
- Ranked among the top global billionaires multiple times.
- Recognized for his contribution to infrastructure development in India.
- Adani Group companies have won numerous awards for sustainability and green energy initiatives.
Philanthropy and Social Work
Through the Adani Foundation, Gautam Adani contributes extensively to education, healthcare, rural development, and women empowerment. The foundation supports schools, scholarships, hospitals, and skill development centers across India.
In 2022, Gautam Adani pledged ₹60,000 crore ($7.7 billion) towards healthcare, education, and climate initiatives, making it one of the largest philanthropic pledges in India’s history.
Legacy and Influence
Gautam Adani’s journey is a true rags-to-riches story that symbolizes ambition, vision, and determination. From a small diamond trader in Mumbai to the head of a global conglomerate, his rise has inspired countless entrepreneurs in India and beyond.
He is widely seen as a nation builder, thanks to his investments in ports, power, airports, and renewable energy — sectors that are vital to India’s growth. While his career has faced controversies and challenges, his resilience and ability to bounce back have cemented his place among India’s most influential industrialists.
Adani’s story is not just about wealth, but about transforming India’s infrastructure and positioning the nation as a global powerhouse.
