Full Name: Gautam Shantilal Adani
Date of Birth: 24 June 1962
Place of Birth: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Occupation: Indian Industrialist, Chairman of Adani Group
Nationality: Indian
Early Life and Education
Gautam Adani was born into a Gujarati Jain family in Ahmedabad. His father, Shantilal Adani, ran a small textile business. Gautam was one of eight siblings in a modest household.
He completed his schooling at Seth CN Vidyalaya and later enrolled at Gujarat University in a B.Com program. However, he dropped out in the second year to pursue business interests. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, Adani moved to Mumbai in 1978, where he started working as a diamond sorter at Mahendra Brothers.
This early exposure to global trade laid the foundation for his future business ventures.
Business Career: The Rise of the Adani Group
Foundation of Adani Enterprises (1988)
Gautam Adani founded Adani Exports (now Adani Enterprises) in 1988 as a commodity trading firm, focusing on agricultural and power commodities.
Adani Ports & SEZ
In the 1990s, he expanded into port infrastructure, securing a contract to manage Mundra Port in Gujarat — now India’s largest commercial port.
Diversification into Key Sectors
Over the years, Adani Group diversified into:
- Renewable & thermal energy (Adani Green Energy, Adani Power)
- Logistics and transport (Adani Logistics)
- Airports (Adani Airports)
- Cement (Ambuja & ACC Cement acquisitions)
- Data centers, defense, and media
The conglomerate played a major role in building critical infrastructure aligned with India’s economic growth.
Gautam Adani Net Worth (2025)
As of May 2025, Gautam Adani’s estimated net worth is $60.3 billion, making him the 3rd richest person in Asia and among the top 30 globally, according to Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Key Controversies
Hindenburg Report (2023)
In January 2023, U.S.-based Hindenburg Research released a report alleging stock manipulation, accounting fraud, and offshore tax haven misuse by the Adani Group. This triggered a major stock crash, wiping out over $100 billion in market value at one point.
U.S. Indictment (2024)
In November 2024, Adani and seven senior executives were indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn. Charges included:
- Conspiracy to commit securities fraud
- Wire fraud
- Violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
The indictment alleged over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure energy contracts.
The Adani Group has denied all wrongdoing and stated it is cooperating with international authorities.
Personal Life
Gautam Adani is married to Dr. Priti Adani, a dentist and philanthropist who leads the Adani Foundation. The couple has two sons:
- Karan Adani – CEO of Adani Ports & SEZ
- Jeet Adani – VP of Finance, Adani Group
Hobbies and Interests
Despite his business commitments, Adani maintains a low public profile. He is known for his interest in yoga, spirituality, and philanthropy.
Philanthropy
The Adani Foundation, led by his wife, focuses on rural development, education, and healthcare across India. In 2022, Adani pledged ₹60,000 crore (approx. $7.7 billion) for social causes, making it one of the largest donations by an Indian.
Key Facts (Quick Summary)
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1962 |
| Education | Dropped out from Gujarat University |
| First Business | Adani Exports (1988) |
| Notable Ventures | Ports, Energy, Logistics, Cement, Airports |
| 2025 Net Worth | $60.3 Billion |
| Spouse | Priti Adani |
| Children | 2 (Karan and Jeet Adani) |
| Controversies | Hindenburg Report, U.S. Bribery Charges |
