Early Life
Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao was born on July 14, 1950, in Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, India. He came from a family involved in commodity trading and a small jewelry business. Rao graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University.
Rise to Success
Rao's entrepreneurial journey began in 1978 with the acquisition of a jute mill. He later expanded into various sectors, including banking and, most notably, infrastructure. The turning point in his career was the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990s. GMR Group, under his leadership, has developed and operates major airports like the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. He also co-owns the IPL team Delhi Capitals.
Key Business Strategies
G. M. Rao's strategy involved identifying opportunities in infrastructure, particularly in airports, energy, and urban development. He utilized the public-private partnership model to develop projects. He has also focused on expanding the group's global presence.
Philanthropy
G. M. Rao established the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, the CSR arm of the GMR Group, which channels charitable initiatives in areas like education, healthcare, and community development. In 2012, inspired by Warren Buffet, he donated ₹1,540 crores for charitable purposes.