In an unprecedented achievement, Roshni Nadar, chairperson of HCL Technologies, has become the first Indian woman to break into the world’s top 10 richest women, with a net worth of Rs 3.5 lakh crore (US$40 billion). She holds the 5th position among the world’s richest women, according to Hurun Global Rich List 2025.
This milestone comes after her father, Shiv Nadar, transferred a 47% stake in HCL Technologies to her, cementing her position as one of India’s most influential billionaires. With this, she remains the richest woman in India and is now the third-richest person in the country in 2025.
Who is Roshni Nadar?
Roshni Nadar is the chairperson of HCL Technologies, a leading global technology company with a market capitalization of $48 billion. She also chairs the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Board Committee.
An alumna of Northwestern University, Roshni holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, where she received the Schaffner Award in 2023 for her contributions to society.
As a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, she oversees educational and leadership initiatives valued at over $1.2 billion. She is also deeply involved with VidyaGyan, a leadership academy in Uttar Pradesh that nurtures talented students from economically underprivileged backgrounds.
Roshni serves on several prestigious boards, including the MIT School of Engineering’s Dean’s Advisory Council and the global board of The Nature Conservancy. In 2024, she was honored with France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and has been recognized on Forbes’ list of the world’s 100 most powerful women since 2017.
World’s top 10 wealthiest women
According to the Hurun Global Rich List, 561 women feature this year, with 224 of them being self-made—reflecting the growing influence of women in top business roles worldwide.
Here are the other prominent women in the global top 10:
Alice Walton (USA) – US$102 billion
Daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Alice Walton remains the wealthiest woman in the world. Her fortune surged by 46%, driven by a rise in Walmart’s share price.
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers (France) – US$67 billion
As the heiress to L’Oréal, Bettencourt Meyers’ wealth dropped by 26% due to challenges in the global cosmetics market, though L’Oréal remains a dominant industry player.
Julia Koch & Family (USA) – US$60 billion
Julia Koch inherited her fortune from her late husband, David Koch. Her family’s stake in Koch Industries continues to generate significant returns.
Jacqueline Mars (USA) – US$53 billion
The Mars Inc. heiress saw a 33% increase in her fortune, largely fueled by the booming global pet food industry.
Roshni Nadar (India) – US$40 billion
Chairperson of HCL Technologies and the first Indian woman to enter the world’s top 10 wealthiest women.
Abigail Johnson (USA) – US$32 billion
As the CEO of Fidelity Investments, Johnson grew her wealth by 14% as the company added over US$400 billion in assets under management.
Marilyn Simons & Family (USA) – US$31 billion
Marilyn Simons, widow of Renaissance Technologies founder James Simons, maintains the family’s wealth through strategic investments and philanthropy.
Linda Stephens & Family (USA) – US$30 billion
Linda Stephens inherited her wealth from her late husband, Autry Stephens, the founder of Endeavor Energy Resources, marking her debut in the top 10.
