#122

Kumar Birla

India 59 years old

Overview

Source of Wealth: Diversified
Industry: Diversified
Residence: Mumbai
Education: London Business School (Master of Business Administration)
University of Mumbai (Bachelor of Arts/Science)
Marital Status: Married
Children: 3

Assets

Aditya Birla Capital

315,195,000 shares @ -

-

540691-IN
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail

399,621,000 shares @ -

-

535755-IN
Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands

420,500,000 shares @ -

-

544403-IN
Birla Carbon (Thailand)

131,760,000 shares @ -

-

BCT-TH
Century Enka

3,813,000 shares @ -

-

500280-IN
Century Textiles & Industries

38,746,000 shares @ -

-

500040-IN
Grasim Industries Ltd.

251,251,000 shares @ -

-

500300-IN
Hindalco Industries Ltd.

654,912,000 shares @ -

-

500440-IN
Idea Cellular Ltd.

6,131,700,000 shares @ -

-

532822-IN
Thai Rayon PCL

97,000,000 shares @ -

-

TR-TH
UltraTech Cement

7,427,000 shares @ -

-

532538-IN

Biography

Commodities king Kumar Birla is the fourth generation head of the storied, $67 billion (revenue) Aditya Birla Group. Nearly half is generated outside India, where it has a presence in 40 countries.

The group's interests span cement, textiles and aluminium to telecom, financial services and paints. It has recently entered new sectors such as branded jewellery and hospitality.

Birla, who is a chartered accountant and graduated from London Business School, inherited the family empire at age 28 when his father Aditya Birla died in 1995.

In 2021, he stepped down as chairman of debt-strapped telecom firm Vodafone Idea, formed by the 2018 merger between his Idea Cellular and Vodafone India.

In 2023, his daughter Ananya and son Aryaman joined the boards of Grasim and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail.

About

The Birla empire's roots go back to 1857 in cotton trading in Rajasthan state.

Daughter Ananya has founded a micro finance firm and an online venture to sell luxury, handmade products.

In 2023, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours.