Tenth class pass to billionaire: Catalyst behind Gautam Adani's $111 billion empire

Gautam Adani has overtaken Mukesh Ambani in the list of the world's richest people, regaining the title of the richest man in Asia. Adani is ranked 11th globally, with a net worth of $111 billion (₹9,22,829 crore), while Ambani has slipped to 12th with $109 billion.

Despite the Adani family's immense wealth, they remain less in the limelight compared to the Ambani family. Few people know about Gautam Adani's wife, Preeti Adani, or their children, Karan Adani and Jeet Adani.

Preeti Adani (née Navora) was born in 1965 into a Gujarati family in Mumbai. She graduated from Government Dental College, Ahmedabad. In 1986, Preeti married Gautam Adani at the age of 21, in an arranged marriage. Gautam was 24 at the time.

The Adani Group was established in 1988. In 1996, Preeti formed the Adani Foundation. She is an accomplished social worker dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged communities. The foundation focuses on bridging the gap between urban and rural areas through education, public health, rural infrastructure development, and sustainable livelihoods. Today, the Adani Foundation operates in 5,753 villages across 18 states in India.

Gautam Adani has often stated that his wife is the reason for his success. "I am a college dropout who passed only 10th standard. But Preeti is a certified doctor. She was determined to marry me even though she was more qualified than me. If asked what is the biggest reason for my success, I would point out that it is Preeti," Adani revealed in an interview.

Following the Bhuj earthquake in 2001, Preeti Adani founded the Adani Public School. She has also led numerous initiatives to increase the literacy rate in Gujarat. Under her leadership, the Adani Group's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget has risen to ₹128 crore. Preeti Adani's net worth is estimated at $1 billion (₹8,326 crore).