Early Life
Anil Agarwal was born in Patna, Bihar, India, in 1954, into a Marwari family. His father had a small business involving aluminum conductors. He attended Miller High School in Patna but chose not to pursue higher education, opting instead to join his father's business at the age of 15. At 19, he moved to Mumbai to explore career opportunities, starting his entrepreneurial journey with scrap metal trading in the mid-1970s. His early focus was on collecting and selling scrap metal.
Rise to Success
In 1976, Anil Agarwal founded Sterlite Industries, marking the beginning of his ventures in the industrial sector. He acquired Shamsher Sterling Corporation, a manufacturer of enameled copper. Over time, realizing the impact of raw material prices on his business, Agarwal strategically expanded his operations. He was the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Sterlite Industries India Ltd. from 1980 to 2004, and has been the Executive Chairman of Vedanta Resources since March 2005. In 2001, Vedanta acquired a majority stake in BALCO. Vedanta acquired Sesa Goa in 2007, which expanded the company's iron ore operations. Vedanta Resources was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2003. In 2011, Vedanta acquired a controlling stake in Cairn India.
Key Business Strategies
Agarwal's business strategy involved strategic acquisitions and investments in the mining and metals sectors. His acquisitions included Sterlite Industries, and Sesa Goa, which expanded the company's portfolio into copper, aluminum, oil, and gas. He also focused on operational excellence and cost optimization. In 2024, Vedanta announced a $6 billion investment across various business verticals, including aluminum, zinc, iron ore, steel, and oil and gas, aiming to add at least $2.5 billion to its annual EBITDA.
Philanthropy
In 1992, Anil Agarwal established the Vedanta Foundation to channel the group's philanthropic activities. The foundation's initiatives focus on child welfare, women empowerment, and education. The Anil Agarwal Foundation pledged Rs 5000 crore over five years (2021) on social impact programs focused on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grassroots-level sports. He is committed to building a world-class ecosystem around early childhood development and nutrition.