Shiv Nadar is a Indian business magnate and philanthropist, who is the founder of HCL Technologies, one of the largest IT services companies in the world. As of February 2025, his net worth is estimated to be $37 billion, making him one of the richest individuals in India and the 46th wealthiest globally, according to Forbes.
Nadar was born in 1945 in a middle-class family in Tamil Nadu and completed his engineering degree from PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. He co-founded HCL in 1976, which initially focused on building calculators and microprocessors, but later expanded to become a global IT services giant. Nadar stepped down as chairman in 2020 and is currently the Chairman Emeritus of the company.
Nadar is not only known for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated a staggering Rs 2,042 crore (approximately $275 million) to various charitable causes in the financial year 2022-23, which translates to Rs 5.6 crore (approximately $750,000) daily. His foundation supports various charities that focus on education and provides scholarships and educational opportunities to underprivileged students. He has also established SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, one of the best private educational institutions in India.
Nadar is married to Kiran Nadar, an art collector and philanthropist, and has a daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, who took over as the chairperson of HCL in 2020. Despite his tremendous wealth and success, Nadar’s philanthropic efforts are truly remarkable, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in India.