Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal Reaffirms 75% Wealth Pledge After Son Agnivesh Agarwal’s Death; Meet His Family

Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to donate more than 75% of his wealth to society, following the sudden demise of his eldest son, Agnivesh Agarwal, in the United States. The industrialist described his son's passing as "the darkest day" of his life, expressing the indescribable pain of losing a child.

"No words can describe the pain of a parent who must bid goodbye to his child. A son is not meant to leave before his father. This loss has shattered us in ways we are still trying to comprehend," Agarwal wrote on X.

Know Who Was Agnivesh Agarwal? Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal's Son

Agnivesh Agarwal, 49, was born on June 3, 1976, in Patna to Anil and Kiran Agarwal. He studied at the prestigious Mayo College in Ajmer before moving to the United States for higher education.

Reports indicate that Agnivesh did not immediately join Vedanta Group after completing his studies. Instead, he gained international professional exposure in finance, global business models and corporate governance, which later helped him contribute significantly to Vedanta's operations upon his return to India.

During his career, Agnivesh founded Fujairah Gold and served as the Chairman of Hindustan Zinc, one of India's largest integrated zinc producers. He also held a position on the board of Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a major private thermal power plant in Punjab.

How Agnivesh Agarwal Died?

Agnivesh sustained injuries in a skiing mishap in the United States and was receiving treatment at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Despite initial signs of improvement and the doctors' best efforts, he tragically passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Anil Agarwal's Wealth Distribution and Family Members

Anil Agarwal, the founder of Vedanta Group, is credited with transforming a scrap metals business into one of India's most successful conglomerates spanning metals, mining and energy. Over the decades, Agarwal built the company brick by brick, overcoming challenges including legal cases and public scrutiny. He married Kiran Agarwal and the couple had two children Agnivesh and Priya Agarwal Hebbar.

Agarwal has been a prominent philanthropist, pledging 75% of his wealth to charitable causes. He and his daughter Priya joined the Giving Pledge initiative, started by Bill Gates, in 2021.

Following Agnivesh's passing, the chairman has reiterated his commitment to giving back to society, honoring his son's belief in building a self-reliant India. Anil Agarwal quoted Agnivesh's vision, saying, "The country lacked nothing and should never lag behind."

Priya Agarwal Hebbar: Anil Agarwal's Daughter and Non-Executive Director at Vedanta; Also Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, the younger daughter of Anil and Kiran Agarwal, serves as a non-executive director at Vedanta and is the chairperson of Hindustan Zinc. She is also the co-founder of Yoda, an animal care organisation. Priya married Akarsh Hebbar in 2013, and the couple has a daughter named Mahii. Priya has been actively involved in both business and philanthropic initiatives alongside her father and late brother.