Forbes recently unveiled the list of ‘World’s Billionaires’ with Indians occupying significant positions in the global listings. The number of Indians who made it to the list increased to 200 from 169 last year. Of the richest people in India, only one woman made it to the top 10. She is Savitri Devi Jindal, a leading business tycoon who is at the helm of Jindal Group.
In a nutshell, Savitri has traversed from being a housewife to making a spot in India's top richest people and the 50th richest person globally. Her journey demonstrates resilience, vision, and empowerment. Her leadership and fusion of traditional values with progressive ideas to revolutionize industries and uplift communities are commendable. Savitri’s journey serves as an inspiration for modern Indian women.
Who is Savitri Jindal?
Born on 20 March 1940 in the small town of Assam, Savitri had a modest upbringing. She was rooted in simplicity, diligence, and perseverance along with an ambitious nature to gain knowledge. Growing up in a traditional household, she absorbed wisdom from her surroundings and community experiences.
In 1970, Savitri married Om Prakash Jindal, a member of the Jindal Family, which marked a new chapter of matrimony and motherhood. Despite carrying out household duties effectively, she supported her husband and shared her viewpoints and knowledge to build the empire. Soon, she became a part of the business dynasty as her observations and business acumen attracted attention, paving the way for her leadership. Savitri’s humble nature along with unwavering dedication transformed her into a trailblazer in the O.P. Jindal Group.
Savitri became the CEO and Emeritus Chairperson of the leading firm after her husband's sudden demise in a helicopter crash in 2005. With a staggering net worth of $35.5 billion in 2024, she also serves as the President of Agroha, Maharaja Agrasen Medical College. O.P. Jindal Group is an oil and gas, mining, steel, and power company and under Savitri Devi's leadership, the company thrived and became the third-largest steel-producing company in India.
Notable Professional Achievements
As the CEO of O.P. Jindal Group, Savitri Jindal navigated the steel industry's complexities and managed the epic business empire. India's leading female business tycoon operates in metallurgy and power production as well.
Forbes Magazine has recognized her name as India's Richest Woman for the last five years in a row. Along with being Asia's richest woman, she holds the title of world's 7th richest mother as well. In 2021, AsiaOne magazine presented her with an international honor for her Achievements in Women's Empowerment at the 14th edition of the Pride of the Nation Series Awards and Business Summit. Along with receiving other notable awards, in 2008, the Akhil Bharatiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal awarded her the Acharya Tulsi Kartritva Puraskar.
Political & Philanthropic Endeavors
Savitri's journey of becoming the most successful Indian business leader had a great impact on her journey to step into the political world. Her move from the boardrooms of corporations to the world of Indian politics was an obvious transition. Savitri is dedicated to public services and the economic welfare of society which was accomplished by her steps toward politics and philanthropic policies.
She was selected to represent the Hisar constituency in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha in 2005 and later she was again re-elected to the same seat in 2009. On 29 October 2013, the Haryana government named her as a Cabinet Minister. Being a Congress representative, she served for 10 years as a Minister of Hisar, Haryana. However, the former Haryana Minister has switched parties and joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in preparation for the 2024 Parliamentary Elections. Savitri was welcomed by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a ceremony in Hisar, Haryana. Her shift in political career is significant in political development for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, influenced by her wealth and political experience.
Along with being a strong political figure, Savitri is also a philanthropist who is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the underprivileged. She founded the J.D. Jindal Foundation, focusing on education and health care. She also actively participates in women's empowerment, cultural preservation, and social welfare initiatives.
Savitri Jindal's journey from being a young housewife and a mother of 9 children to becoming a doyen in the entrepreneurial world showcases a testament to her leadership, resilience, and determination towards her goal. Her journey serves as an inspiration to women succeeding in family and business, demonstrating that they can achieve prosperity and independence in traditionally male-dominated industries.
