Indian business groups continue to leave their mark on the international stage, not just with their knowledge but their savvy business sense as well. Such increasing influence has been reflected in Bloomberg's new list of the 20 wealthiest families in Asia, where an Indian group has topped the list, and six more also found places among the elite group.
Ambani family tops the List
At the top of the list is the Ambani family, which began its business empire under the visionary guidance of the late Dhirubhai Ambani. Presently, Reliance Industries is headed by Mukesh Ambani, the second-generation head, catapulting the family to a jaw-dropping combined wealth of $90.5 billion (about ₹7.85 lakh crore). The amount places the Ambanis far ahead of their nearest competitors, solidifying their stronghold on the Asian business scene.
Other leading families in Asia
While the Ambanis top the list, other wealthy families from across Asiahave also secured important positions.
Chearavanont Family (Thailand) – The Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand, spanning food, retail, and telecom, has secured the second spot with a fortune of $42.6 billion (₹3.70 lakh crore). The family's fourth generation continues to expand its business empire across Asia.
Hartono Family (Indonesia) – The Hartonos ranking 3rd in the list have built a fortune of $42.2 billion (₹3.66 lakh crore), owing to their control of Bank Central Asia. Their history started in 1950 when Oei Wie Gwan bought a cigarette company and renamed it Djarum, which is still the family's core business.
Indian families making a mark
Apart from the Ambanis, other Indian business clans have left their mark on the list:
Mistry family (4th place, $37.5 billion/₹3.25 lakh crore): The Mistrys earn the majority of their fortune from their large holding in Tata Sons. Their own group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group, has business interests in the engineering and construction industries.
Jindal family (7th rank, $28.1 billion/₹2.43 lakh crore): Om Prakash Jindal set up the OP Jindal Group in 1952, which has since diversified into the energy, cement, and even sports industries.
Birla family (9th rank, $23 billion/₹1.99 lakh crore): The Aditya Birla Group has operated for seven generations and is a strong player in textiles, metals, and telecom industries.
Bajaj family (13th rank): With its diversified business portfolio across finance, automobiles, and electricals, the Bajaj family remains a powerful force in India's corporate landscape
Hinduja family (17th rank): The Hindujas, with interests in banking, automotive, and energy, retain their grip as one of India's most powerful business families.
Other prominent names on the list
The list also features a number of non-Indian families:
Kwok family (Hong Kong, 5th position, $35.6 billion/₹3.09 lakh crore): The proprietors of Sun Hung Kai Properties, a prominent real estate developer in Hong Kong.
Tsai family (Taiwan, 6th position, $30.9 billion/₹2.68 lakh crore): The banking titans behind Cathay Financial and Cubon Financial.
Yoovidhya family (Thailand, 8th position, $25.7 billion/₹2.23 lakh crore): Famous for their invention of 'Krating Daeng,' the Thai version of the international hit energy drink Red Bull.
Lee family (South Korea, 10th position, $22.7 billion/₹1.97 lakh crore): Founders of Samsung, one of the largest technology companies in the world, tracing their heritage back to 1938.
With these families extending their businesses worldwide, their legacies are set to increase even more in the years to come.
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