Savitri Jindal Retains Title of India’s Richest Woman in 2024 Forbes List

Savitri Jindal, a leading businesswoman in India, has secured her position as the nation’s wealthiest woman on the 2024 Forbes Billionaires’ List. With a net worth estimated at $33.5 billion, she continues to reign supreme among Indian women entrepreneurs. This year’s list, released on Tuesday, showcased a significant increase in Indian representation, featuring 200 individuals compared to 169 in the previous year.

Jindal Group: A Legacy of Diversification

Jindal, currently 74 years old, serves as the chairperson of the Jindal Group, a prominent conglomerate with a diversified portfolio. Established in 1979 by her late husband, Om Prakash Jindal, the New Delhi-based company has established itself in key sectors like steel, power, cement, and infrastructure.

Shifting Tides: Family and Politics

Following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed OP Jindal’s life in 2005, the Jindal Group’s vast interests were divided among their four sons. One of them, Sajjan Jindal, a renowned business tycoon, currently leads JSW Steel, a major player in the steel industry.

Political Realignment: Savitri Jindal Joins BJP

In a recent development, Savitri Jindal marked a shift in her political affiliation by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move brings an end to a nearly two-decade-long association with the Congress party. Notably, she served as a minister in the Haryana government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who belonged to the Congress party. Her decision to join the BJP aligns with her youngest son, Naveen Jindal, who also switched allegiance to the saffron party earlier this year.

Naveen Jindal: A Political Aspirant

Naveen, currently based in Delhi, manages Jindal Steel & Power, another significant enterprise within the Jindal Group’s portfolio. He previously served as a member of parliament, representing the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency from 2004 to 2014, under the banner of the Congress party. This year, however, he will be contesting for the same constituency under the BJP flag.

Savitri Jindal’s Political Journey

Savitri Jindal’s foray into politics began after the passing of her husband. Interestingly, OP Jindal himself held a ministerial position in the Hooda government at the time of his death. Following his demise, she contested and won the Hisar by-election in 2005, leading to her inclusion in the Haryana government. Her political career continued with a successful campaign in the 2009 Assembly polls for the Hisar seat, which subsequently secured her a ministerial position in 2013. The 2014 Assembly elections saw her lose the Hisar seat, and she opted out of contesting in the 2019 polls.