How Did Sunil Mittal Make His Money?

Sunil Mittal’s Profile Summary

Company	Bharti Enterprises
Position	Chairman
Source of wealth	Telecommunications
Also known as	Sunil Mittal
Age	67
Education	Bachelor of Arts/Science
Citizenship	Indian
Residence	Delhi, India
Family	Married
Website, Social Media	https://www.bharti.com/ https://www.airtel.in/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-bharti-mittal-12345678/ https://x.com/SunilBhartiMitt

Sunil Mittal’s biography

Sunil Bharti Mittal, born on October 23, 1957, in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, a conglomerate with diversified interests in telecommunications, insurance, real estate, education, malls, hospitality, agriculture, and food sectors. Mittal's entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 18 when he started a business manufacturing crankshafts for local bicycle manufacturers with a modest capital investment of ₹20,000 borrowed from his father.

In 1980, Mittal moved to Mumbai and established an import enterprise named Bharti Overseas Trading Company with his brothers. He began importing portable electric-power generators from Japan, becoming India's largest importer of such generators by the age of 24. However, in 1982, the Indian government banned the import of generators, prompting Mittal to shift his focus to the telecommunications industry.

During a trip to Taiwan in 1983, Mittal noticed the popularity of push-button phones, which were a novelty in India at the time. Recognizing an opportunity, he began assembling push-button phones in India, replacing the outdated rotary dial instruments. This venture laid the foundation for Bharti Telecom Limited, which later partnered with Siemens AG of Germany to manufacture electronic push-button phones.

In 1992, Mittal successfully bid for one of the four mobile phone network licenses auctioned in India. By 1995, he launched services in Delhi under the brand name Bharti Airtel. Under his leadership, Bharti Airtel expanded rapidly to become one of the world's largest mobile operators, with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa, serving over 550 million customers.

Beyond telecommunications, Mittal has diversified Bharti Enterprises into various sectors, including retail, financial services, and food processing. He is also known for his philanthropic initiatives through the Bharti Foundation, focusing on education and rural development in India. Mittal's visionary leadership and entrepreneurial acumen have significantly contributed to the transformation of India's telecom industry, making affordable communication accessible to millions.

How did Sunil Mittal make money?
Sunil Bharti Mittal's journey to becoming a telecom tycoon began with humble entrepreneurial ventures. In 1976, at the age of 18, he started a business manufacturing crankshafts for local bicycle manufacturers in Ludhiana, Punjab, with a capital investment of ₹20,000 borrowed from his father.

Seeking broader opportunities, Mittal moved to Mumbai in 1980 and, along with his brothers, established Bharti Overseas Trading Company, importing portable electric-power generators from Japan. By the age of 24, he had become India's largest importer of such generators.

In 1982, when the Indian government banned the import of generators, Mittal pivoted to the telecommunications sector. During a visit to Taiwan in 1983, he observed the widespread use of push-button phones, a novelty in India at the time. Sensing a lucrative opportunity, he began assembling push-button phones in India, replacing the outdated rotary dial instruments. This venture led to the formation of Bharti Telecom Limited, which later partnered with Siemens AG of Germany to manufacture electronic push-button phones.

In 1992, Mittal capitalized on the liberalization of India's telecom sector by successfully bidding for one of the four mobile phone network licenses auctioned in the country. By 1995, he launched services in Delhi under the brand name Bharti Airtel. Under his strategic leadership, Bharti Airtel expanded rapidly, becoming one of the world's largest mobile operators with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa, serving over 550 million customers.

Mittal's wealth primarily stems from his stake in Bharti Airtel, the flagship company of Bharti Enterprises. Beyond telecommunications, Bharti Enterprises has diversified into sectors such as retail, financial services, real estate, and food processing, further contributing to his financial success. As of October 2024, Mittal's net worth is estimated at $30.7 billion, ranking him among India's wealthiest individuals.
What is Sunil Mittal net worth?

As of 2025, Sunil Mittal’s net worth is estimated to be $13.8 B.

What is Sunil Mittal also known as?

Sunil Bharti Mittal is commonly referred to as Sunil Mittal. He is recognized as a pioneering Indian entrepreneur who transformed the telecommunications landscape in India through his company, Bharti Airtel. His contributions have earned him national and international acclaim.

Prominent achievements of Sunil Mittal

Sunil Mittal transformed Bharti Airtel into one of the largest telecom operators in the world, serving over 550 million customers across Asia and Africa. He played a pivotal role in liberalizing India's telecom sector, making mobile services affordable and accessible to millions. In 2021, he spearheaded a partnership with satellite communications company OneWeb to provide global broadband services. His philanthropic efforts through the Bharti Foundation have impacted the lives of thousands of children by improving access to quality education in rural India.

What are Sunil Mittal’s key insights?

Sunil Mittal believes in taking calculated risks and leveraging opportunities in emerging markets. His business philosophy revolves around creating long-term value through innovation, strategic partnerships, and investments in sectors with significant growth potential. He emphasizes the importance of accessibility, affordability, and quality in telecommunications to drive socio-economic development.

Sunil Mittal’s personal life

Sunil Bharti Mittal is married to Nyna Mittal, and the couple has three children — twin sons Kavin Bharti Mittal and Shravin Bharti Mittal, and a daughter, Eiesha Bharti Pasricha. Kavin Bharti Mittal is the founder and CEO of Hike, a messaging app that gained popularity in India. Shravin Mittal has been actively involved in Bharti Airtel and other family businesses. The Mittal family is deeply involved in the family’s philanthropic activities through the Bharti Foundation, which focuses on education and rural development.

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