Anil Agarwal: From Bihar’s ‘Metal King’ to a Multi-Billion-Dollar Global Empire

New Delhi: India’s top industrialist and one of the country’s wealthiest, Anil Agarwal, is reeling from the tragic loss of his only son, Agnivesh Agarwal, who passed away at the age of 49 following a skiing accident in the United States. Agnivesh had been receiving treatment at a hospital when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. The untimely demise of his son has left Agarwal deeply shattered.

Humble Beginnings in Bihar
Born into a Marwari family in Bihar, Agarwal, often called the ‘Metal King’, left his home state at the age of 20 with nothing but a lunchbox. He arrived in Mumbai and began working tirelessly to build his business empire. His first venture, launched in the 1970s through scrap trading, proved profitable and laid the foundation for his future enterprises.

Early Struggles and Failures
Agarwal faced several setbacks in his early career. In 1976, he acquired Shamsher Sterling Cable Company, which eventually failed, leaving him unable to pay salaries to employees. Over the next decade, he launched nine different businesses, all of which did not succeed. During this period of struggle, Agarwal openly shared that he battled depression but continued to persevere.

Rise of Vedanta and Global Expansion
A turning point came in 1986, when the Indian government allowed private sector participation in telephone cable manufacturing. Prior to that, Agarwal had acquired Sterlite Industries in 1980, and by 1990 he had ventured into copper refining. Sterlite became India’s first private copper refining company.

Over the years, Agarwal expanded his ventures to form Vedanta Resources, a global natural resources company operating across minerals, oil, and gas sectors. The company employs around 64,000 people and contractors worldwide, with operations in India, Africa, Ireland, and Australia, and sells its products globally.

Net Worth and Status
According to Forbes, Anil Agarwal’s net worth is estimated at $3 billion (approximately ₹27,000 crore), placing him among India’s top 100 richest individuals. Known for his perseverance, strategic vision, and ability to turn adversity into opportunity, Agarwal has built a business empire that spans continents and industries, earning him the moniker ‘Metal King’.