While there’s no denying that the children of say, the Ambanis or the Adanis were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, it’s surprising to know that most of them worked really hard to get where they are today. Some of them joined the family business through their own merit, while others decided they wanted to do their own thing, and not depend on the legacy of their parents. Either way, it’s interesting to note what the scions of India’s notable families work as.
Here’s what the children of India’s richest people are up to now!
1. Akash and Isha Ambani, children of Mukesh Ambani
What they’re doing now: Director of Reliance Jio and joint ventures
In 2014, Akash Ambani, along with twin sister Isha, were appointed as directors on board of Reliance Industries’ telecom and retail ventures. The two joined around the same age as their father, who was 24 when he joined RIL. Mukesh has a net worth of $20.8 billion, which makes these two very rich, to say the least.
2. Aditya Mittal, son of Lakshmi Mittal
What he’s doing now: CFO of ArcelorMittal
Being the son of the CEO of the world’s largest steelmaking company has its perks. Aditya joined the company in 1997 and rose through the ranks pretty quickly, exhibiting a similar business acumen as his father, who’s net worth is $12.3 billion.
3. Vanisha Mittal, daughter of Lakshmi Mittal
What she’s doing now: Director of LNM Holdings
35 year old Vanisha, who studied in the University of London, has been the director of LNM Holdings, the holding company of the Mittal Group, since 2004. This entails taking on responsibility for Arcelor Mittal, Mittal Steel and Temirtau JSC.
4. Rishad Premji, son of Azim Premji
What he’s doing now: Chief Strategy Officer and Member of the Board, Wipro
Rishad had to go for an interview at Wipro just like anybody else, and started off in the position of manager in the business of banking, financial services and insurance. Despite not being afforded any extra privileges, he has gained a reputation as a hard working and humble individual.
5. Aalok Shanghvi, son of Dilip Shanghvi
What he’s doing now: Senior General Manager in International Marketing for Sun Pharmaceuticals
Apart from his work in Sun Pharma, the 27 year old has also set up a solar panel making company called PV Powertech. He’s been described as hard working and media shy.
6. Cyrus Pallonji Mistry, son of Pallonji Mistry
What he’s doing now: Chairman of Tata Group
As his father is the largest shareholder in the Tata Company, Cyrus started working at the company after his father retired. Before that, he was managing director of Shapoorji Pallonji and Company. He was appointed Chairman of the Tata Group in 2012.
7. Smiti Ruia, daughter of Ravi Ruia
What she’s doing now: Launched Paprika Media
Smiti is the daughter of Ravi Ruia, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Essar Group, and has a net worth of $3.4 billion. Paprika Media was Essar Group’s foray into the Publishing industry through a Mumbai based innovative publishing house.
8. Kavin Bharti Mittal, son of Sunil Mittal
What he’s doing now: CEO and developer of Hike Messenger
Kavin, whose father ran Bharti Airtel, decided to make his own way. Instead of joining the family business, he started Hike messenger, which is a homegrown free messaging application that has more than 35 million users at the moment.
9. Karan Adani, son of Gautam Adani
What he’s doing now: Executive Director, Ports, Adani Group
After graduating with an economics degree from Purdue, Karan Adani joined Adani Group in 2009. He now looks after the strategic development of all Adani ports in India.
10. Ananyashree Birla, daughter of Kumar Mangalam Birla
What she’s doing now: Runs Svatantra Microfin Pvt.
Instead of joining the Birla Group, Ananyashree decided to become a social entrepreneur. The 21 year old started Svatantra Microfin Pvt. two years ago. This small venture of hers lends small loans to the rural poor to start small enterprises, and is backed by her billionaire father.
11. Roshni Nadar, daughter of Shiv Nadar
What she’s doing now: CEO of HCL Group
The only child of Indian billionaire Shiv Nadar, Roshni was elevated to the position of executive director of the HCL Group within a year of joining. Despite being just 28 years old, Roshni is also involved with the educative initiatives of Shiv Nadar foundation.
12. Pia Singh, daughter of KP Singh
What she’s doing now: Heads the DLF Entertainment venture
Daughter of real estate magnate KP Singh, Pia Pia holds a stake of $400 million in her father’s firm. She also heads the DLF entertainment venture, Retail Business of the Group as Managing Director and DT Cinema.
13. Akshata Murthy, daughter of Narayan Murthy
What she’s doing now: Senior associate at Siderian
A Stanford graduate, Akshata is a senior Associate at Siderian at this time. Apart from that, she also holds a 1.4 percent stake in Infosys, her father’s company.
14. Nisa Godrej, daughter of Adi Godrej
What she’s doing now: Executive Director of Godrej Consumer Products
Apart from being in a family with a net worth of over $5.2 billion, Nisha also has to manage more than 20,000 employees in her role at the Godrej Group. She also helps out at Dasra, an organisation that promotes girl education.
