Roshni Nadar Breaks into Global Top 10 Richest Women Billionaires

Roshni Nadar Makes History as World’s 5th Richest Woman; India’s Top 10 Billionaires in 2025 Revealed

In a landmark achievement for India’s corporate landscape, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies, has shattered glass ceilings to become the world’s fifth-richest woman, with a staggering net worth of ₹3.5 lakh crore ($42 billion), according to the Hurun Global Rich List 2025. The heiress to the HCL empire is now the first Indian woman ever to break into the global top 10 women billionaires’ club, marking a historic milestone for gender representation in wealth creation.

Roshni Nadar: A Trailblazer for Indian Women in Business

Roshni’s meteoric rise follows a 47% stake transfer from her father and HCL founder, Shiv Nadar, who strategically reshaped his $12 billion philanthropic trust to empower her leadership. Her wealth stems from:

• HCL Technologies: A global IT giant with a market cap exceeding ₹5.2 lakh crore ($63 billion).
• Strategic Investments: Diversified holdings in healthcare, education, and real estate via the Nadar family office.
• Philanthropy: Overseeing the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which has donated over ₹1,200 crore ($145 million) to education initiatives.

Roshni’s ascent underscores the growing influence of Indian women in global wealth rankings. “Her leadership in steering HCL through digital transformation and ESG-driven growth has been pivotal,” states the Hurun Report.

India’s Top 10 Richest Individuals in 2025

The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 highlights India’s economic boom, with its billionaire count surging by 18% year-on-year. Here are the nation’s wealthiest tycoons:

1. Mukesh Ambani
   • Net Worth: ₹12.9 lakh crore ($156 billion)
   • Source: Reliance Industries (Oil-to-Telecom)
   • Key Moves: Dominance in green energy, 5G rollout, and retail expansion.
2. Gautam Adani
   • Net Worth: ₹10.3 lakh crore ($124 billion)
   • Source: Adani Group (Infrastructure, Renewables)
   • Key Moves: Solar mega-projects and global port acquisitions.
3. Shiv Nadar
   • Net Worth: ₹6.7 lakh crore ($81 billion)
   • Source: HCL Technologies
   • Key Moves: Philanthropic trust restructuring and AI-driven IT solutions.
4. Cyrus Poonawalla
   • Net Worth: ₹4.8 lakh crore ($58 billion)
   • Source: Serum Institute of India
   • Key Moves: Vaccine dominance in Africa and Southeast Asia.
5. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
   • Net Worth: ₹3.5 lakh crore ($42 billion)
   • Source: HCL Technologies, Investments
   • Key Moves: First Indian woman in global top 10 women billionaires.
6. Radhakishan Damani
   • Net Worth: ₹2.9 lakh crore ($35 billion)
   • Source: Avenue Supermarts (DMart)
   • Key Moves: Hyperlocal retail networks and private-label expansion.
7. Lakshmi Mittal
   • Net Worth: ₹2.4 lakh crore ($29 billion)
   • Source: ArcelorMittal
   • Key Moves: Green steel ventures in Europe.
8. Kumar Mangalam Birla
   • Net Worth: ₹2.1 lakh crore ($25 billion)
   • Source: Aditya Birla Group
   • Key Moves: Carbon-neutral cement and ultra-fast fashion brand TMRW.
9. Dilip Shanghvi
   • Net Worth: ₹1.8 lakh crore ($22 billion)
   • Source: Sun Pharmaceuticals
   • Key Moves: Biotech R&D for rare diseases.
10. Uday Kotak
    • Net Worth: ₹1.5 lakh crore ($18 billion)
    • Source: Kotak Mahindra Bank
    • Key Moves: Digital banking partnerships with fintech unicorns.

Drivers of India’s Wealth Surge

• Tech & Innovation: IT giants like HCL and TCS are leading AI and cloud-computing exports.
• Green Energy Push: Reliance and Adani are investing $150+ billion in renewables.
• Consumer Boom: Retail and pharma sectors thrive on India’s rising middle class.

Why Roshni Nadar’s Rise Matters

Roshni’s entry into the global elite signals a shift in India’s wealth narrative:

• Women in Leadership: Only 12% of India’s billionaires are women, but her success could inspire a new generation.
• Legacy to Leadership: She transformed from an heiress to a visionary, steering HCL into cybersecurity and AI.
• Philanthropy Focus: 25% of her wealth is allocated to education and climate resilience projects.