Ambanis Still Rule The Throne
Wealth Concentration In India: Just 300 Families Create Value Exceeding GDP Of Turkey And Finland
Imagine waking up to learn that just 300 Indian families hold a combined ₹134 lakh crore—that’s USD 1.6 trillion—in wealth. Yes, you read that right. According to the 2025 Barclays Private Clients Hurun India List, this concentrated wealth exceeds the GDPs of entire countries like Turkey and Finland, and even comes close to that of Australia. Let that sink in.
These are not just big businesses—they’re economic empires run by families. The Ambanis sit comfortably on the throne, while the Birlas and Jindals round out the top three. But here’s the kicker: these families generate ₹7,100 crore every single day, reshaping India’s economic landscape as they go. With 100 new families joining the list this year, the scale of legacy wealth creation is not just shocking—it’s historic. What you’re witnessing is a parallel financial universe within India, driven by legacy, ambition, and scale.
The report reveals that the 300 families generated ₹7,100 crore in revenue every day over the last year. These businesses collectively contributed ₹1.8 lakh crore in taxes, making up 15% of India’s total corporate tax collections. They employed more than 2 million people, surpassing the population of Bahrain. These enterprises span diverse industries such as automobiles, industrial products, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals. With continued expansion and succession planning, many of these businesses have brought in professional CEOs or seen second-generation leaders take charge. The report highlights a shift in leadership style with 62 families hiring professionals and 22 businesses now led by women.
In the first-generation category, Gautam Adani’s family leads with ₹14 lakh crore, followed by Cyrus Poonawalla at ₹2.3 lakh crore. Anil Agarwal’s family entered the top 10 for the first time at ₹2.6 lakh crore, as the threshold to enter the top 10 rose to ₹2.2 lakh crore. A total of 161 families now command wealth over USD 1 billion, up from 124 last year. The Haldiram family retained its title as the most valuable unlisted company, at ₹85,800 crore. The Wadia family, with a legacy dating back over 250 years, holds wealth valued at ₹1.58 lakh crore.
Mumbai continues to dominate the list with 91 families, followed by the NCR region with 62 and Kolkata with 25. In terms of industries, industrial products lead in numbers with 48 companies, while the automobile sector posts the highest average valuation at ₹52,320 crore.
The oldest active business leader, Kanaiyalal Maneklal Sheth, aged 93, still runs Great Eastern Shipping, a company worth ₹14,000 crore. These numbers show how family wealth is not just retained, but strategically diversified across generations, industries, and geographies, making family-run businesses one of the most resilient and impactful segments of India’s economy.
(With Inputs)
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
Always bold with her opinions, she also never misses the chance to weave in expert voices, keeping things balanced and insightful. In short, Aishwarya brings a fresh, sharp, and fact-driven voice to every story she touches.
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