Meet Savitri Jindal: BJP Leader and India’s Richest Woman with a $35.5 Billion Net Worth, Topping Forbes’ List

Savitri Jindal continues to hold her position as the wealthiest Indian woman on the Forbes Billionaires’ List 2024, with an impressive net worth of $33.5 billion. The recently unveiled list, issued by Forbes on Tuesday, showcased the inclusion of 200 Indian billionaires, marking a notable increase from the 169 individuals featured last year.

Savitri Jinda: India’s richest women

At 74 years old, Jindal has ascended to the fourth position among India’s richest individuals, a remarkable rise from her sixth-place ranking in the previous year. Her substantial net worth of $33.5 billion underscores her significant wealth and influence in the Indian business landscape.

As the chairperson of the Jindal Group, Savitri Jindal presides over a diverse conglomerate with interests spanning steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. The conglomerate, headquartered in New Delhi, was established by her late husband, Om Prakash Jindal, in 1979.

Following the tragic demise of Om Prakash Jindal in a helicopter accident in 2005, the assets and operations of the Jindal Group were distributed among the couple’s four sons. Among them is Sajjan Jindal, a prominent business tycoon known for his leadership at JSW Steel, one of the flagship companies within the Jindal Group’s portfolio.

Savitri Jindal’s ascent as one of India’s wealthiest women mirrors a broader trend of female empowerment shaping the country’s business landscape. Stepping into leadership following her husband’s passing, she spearheaded the Jindal Group to remarkable heights.

Alongside her, women like Rekha Jhunjhunwala, Vinod Rai Gupta, Renuka Jagtiani, and Smita Crishna-Godrej are leaving indelible marks on Indian business, redefining the narrative of success in the nation. Jindal’s philanthropic endeavors and foray into politics further underscore her multifaceted influence.

In the dynamic milieu of India’s business realm, a profound transformation is underway as women entrepreneurs and leaders ascend to prominence. Among these trailblazers shines Savitri Jindal, boasting a staggering net worth of $35.5 billion, positioning her as one of India’s wealthiest individuals. Her remarkable journey not only signifies personal triumph but also encapsulates a broader narrative of women’s empowerment unfolding within India’s business landscape.

Savitri Jindal’s narrative of success is both compelling and inspiring. As the matriarch of the esteemed Jindal family, she helms the Jindal Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning steel, power, cement, and infrastructure.

Following the untimely demise of her husband in 2005, Jindal assumed the mantle of leadership, steering the enterprise to unparalleled growth and prosperity. Today, she not only holds the distinction of being India’s richest woman but also commands global recognition as a prominent figure in business and leadership.

In the realm of Indian business, alongside Savitri Jindal, several noteworthy women entrepreneurs are making remarkable strides. Rekha Jhunjhunwala, the widow of renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, has inherited a substantial stock portfolio from her husband, renowned for his investment prowess.

Vinod Rai Gupta has established herself through her ownership in Havells India, a prominent company recognized for its electrical and home appliances. Renuka Jagtiani, as the chairperson and CEO of Landmark Group, a multinational consumer conglomerate based in Dubai, commands significant influence in the business world.

Additionally, Smita Crishna-Godrej, representing the Godrej family, wields substantial control over the family’s assets, overseeing the operations of the Godrej Group, a diversified consumer-goods conglomerate.

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Beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors, Savitri Jindal and her peers have made notable contributions in philanthropy and public service. Savitri Jindal, in particular, is deeply involved in philanthropic initiatives, including the establishment of schools and healthcare facilities. Furthermore, she has ventured into politics, following the footsteps of her late husband, and has served as a minister in the Haryana government, representing the Hisar assembly constituency.

A Political Shift: Savitri Jindal’s Transition from Congress to BJP

Famous for her work in Haryana politics, Savitri Jindal recently made news when she announced that she was leaving the Congress party after almost twenty years and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This momentous step follows her time serving as a minister in the Haryana government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, which is led by the Congress. Just a few days prior, her youngest son Naveen Jindal had made a similar switch to the BJP. Savitri Jindal followed suit on March 28 when she formally declared her intention to join the party.

Based in Delhi, Naveen Jindal is a key figure in the management of Jindal Steel & Power. From 2004 to 2014, he was a Member of Parliament for the Congress party, serving as the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency’s representative. But he will be running under the BJP’s banner for the same seat in the next elections.

The sad death of Savitri Jindal’s spouse, who was also a minister in the Hooda administration at the time of his passing, served as the impetus for her entry into politics. After this significant occasion, Savitri Jindal won the 2005 Hisar bypoll, opening doors for her to enter the Haryana government’s executive branch.

She then went on to win the 2009 Hisar Assembly elections, which elevated her political profile even more. When she took on ministerial duties in 2013, her rise to prominence reached new heights as she made a significant contribution to the state’s governance structure.

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But when Savitri Jindal lost the election in the Hisar constituency during the 2014 Assembly elections, the political landscape changed. Not to be deterred, she decided to strategically withdraw from the 2019 polls, indicating a temporary halt to her political career.