The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 has brought remarkable recognition to Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the Chairperson of HCL Technologies, as she becomes the fifth richest woman in the world. With an estimated net worth of ₹3.5 lakh crore (USD 40 billion), she has made history as the first Indian woman to enter the top 10 list of the world’s wealthiest women.
Her ascent to this prestigious position follows a strategic succession move by her father, Shiv Nadar, who transferred a 47% stake in HCL Technologies to her. This move has not only elevated her to global billionaire status but also solidified her as India’s wealthiest woman and the third-richest person in the country.
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Who is Roshni Nadar Malhotra?
Born in 1982, Roshni Nadar is a prominent figure in both the corporate and philanthropic worlds. She holds a degree in Communications from Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, and later pursued an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. Since 2020, she has been at the helm of HCL Technologies, a global IT services giant with a market capitalization of USD 48 billion.
Her leadership extends beyond HCL, as she serves on various global advisory boards, including:
- Dean’s Advisory Council at MIT School of Engineering
- US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC), focusing on environmental sustainability
Roshni Nadar is married to Shikhar Malhotra, Vice Chairman of HCL Healthcare, and the couple has two children.
A Leader in Business and Philanthropy
Apart from her business acumen, Roshni Nadar is deeply committed to philanthropy. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, she has been instrumental in shaping education and social transformation initiatives across India. One of her key projects is VidyaGyan, a leadership academy for underprivileged students in Uttar Pradesh.
Her achievements have earned her several accolades, including:
- Recognition in Forbes’ list of the world’s 100 most powerful women since 2017
- Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by France in 2024
- Schaffner Award from Kellogg School of Management in 2023 for contributions to society
World’s Top 10 Wealthiest Women (Hurun Global Rich List 2025)
According to Hurun Global Rich List 2025, 561 women feature among the world’s richest, with 224 being self-made billionaires. The top 10 includes:
- Alice Walton (USA) – USD 102 billion
(Daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, with wealth rising due to Walmart’s soaring stock price) - Francoise Bettencourt Meyers (France) – USD 67 billion
(Heiress to the L’Oréal empire, despite a recent market dip) - Julia Koch & Family (USA) – USD 60 billion
(Inherited wealth from Koch Industries, a major U.S. conglomerate) - Jacqueline Mars (USA) – USD 53 billion
(Mars Inc. heiress, benefiting from the booming pet food industry) - Roshni Nadar (India) – USD 40 billion
(Chairperson of HCL Technologies, marking India’s first-ever entry in the top 10) - Abigail Johnson (USA) – USD 32 billion
(CEO of Fidelity Investments, expanding assets under management) - Marilyn Simons & Family (USA) – USD 31 billion
(Widow of Renaissance Technologies founder James Simons) - Linda Stephens & Family (USA) – USD 30 billion
(Wealth inherited from Autry Stephens, founder of Endeavor Energy Resources)
The Rise of Indian Billionaires
While Roshni Nadar’s rise is a groundbreaking moment for Indian businesswomen, Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest person, has dropped out of the world’s top 10 wealthiest list, reflecting shifts in global wealth distribution. However, Gautam Adani has emerged as India’s top wealth gainer, demonstrating the growing dominance of Indian entrepreneurs on the world stage.
With Roshni Nadar’s historic entry into the global elite, she stands as an inspiration for Indian businesswomen and a symbol of India’s growing influence in the global corporate sector.
