Meet Gautam Adani, dropout-turned-tycoon: Despite controversies, business empire keeps soaring high

He is one of India’s richest men, and was once the sub-continent's top tycoon.

As of May 2025, Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, had a net worth was estimated at $60.3 billion (as per Forbes), making him the third-richest person in Asia (25th globally).

Some sources estimate it at $86 billion.

The Adani Group’s combined market cap exceeded $200 billion in May 2024, after recovering from a $104-billion paper loss following allegations of wrongdoing in 2023 exposed by short-seller Hindenburg Research.

Ambition, grit

Adani’s journey from a school dropout to a global billionaire shows a story of ambition, grit and strategic foresight. 

His ability to transform industries has made the Adani Group an Indian powerhouse, involved in ports, energy, property development and defence. 

And the year 2025 is proving to be a bumper year.

Some recent notable moves:

Ports and infrastructure

• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), reported a 6.5% increase in net profit to Rs3,311 crore and a 31% surge in revenue to Rs9,126 crore in Q1 FY26 (April-June 2025), driven by an 11% growth in cargo volumes and eco-friendly drive.

• Operations commenced at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in Sri Lanka, strengthening Adani’s global port operations.

• Also in 2025, the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, India’s first deep-sea automated port, was inaugurated, positioning it as a future global transshipment hub.

• Mumbai International Airport, operated by the Adani Group, plans to invest $1.1 billion over the next five years to expand and modernise infrastructure. 

• A new terminal at Navi Mumbai Airport is set to open soon to reduce congestion at Mumbai’s main airport.

Green energy

• The group has also announced a $70 billion investment for green energy projects, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen.

• This bolsters Adani’s commitment to drive India’s energy transition.

• Adani Green Energy surpassed 15,000 MW of renewable energy capacity, marking the largest and fastest green energy build-out in India’s history. 

• Eventually, the company aims to achieve 50 GW by 2030, with significant progress in projects like the Khavda renewable energy park, touted as the world’s largest.

• The group is investing heavily in solar manufacturing, with 2 GW of ingot and wafer production operational since March 2024, alongside 2 GW of cell and module capacity. 

• Solar module sales reached 2.38 GW from April to September 2024, with 1,082 MW domestic and 1,298 MW exported, reflecting 91% year-on-year growth.

Capital spending plan

To bolster India's infrastructure and energy sectors, the Adani Group has earmarked a capital expenditure (capex) plan of $15-20 billion annually (about ₹1,30,000-1,73,000 crore) over the next five years to drive growth in renewables, airports, ports, cement, and urban redevelopment. 

The group has been cranking up its defence portfolio, too.

Adani Defence & Aerospace contributed to Operation Sindoor, supplying SkyStriker “kamikaze” drones co-developed with Alpha Design Technologies for military strikes in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, highlights Adani’s growing role in India’s defence self-reliance.

Education

The group doesn’t stop there.

Gautamji, a school drop-out, is going big on education.

In partnership with GEMS Education, the Adani Group launched Adani GEMS Schools of Excellence across India, aiming to provide affordable, world-class K-12 education, with 30% of seats reserved for underprivileged students.

Moreover, a collaboration with Singapore’s ITEES will establish the world’s largest finishing school in Mundra, focusing on technical training and employability.

Healthcare

He has also made forays into healthcare.

A partnership with Mayo Clinic was announced to develop Adani Health City, starting with two 1,000-bed hospitals and medical colleges in Ahmedabad and Mumbai to advance medical research and affordable healthcare. 

Controversies: Adani steps down — and the ports keep rocking

It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Adani in 2025. Alleged cronyism and bribery charges persist.

And in a twist that’s making waves across India’s business world, the billionaire has officially stepped down as Executive Chairman of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).

So, seems like the country’s biggest private port operator just lost its captain.

The company made it official on Tuesday: Adani is now a "Non-Executive Chairman" — effective August 5, 2025.

Translation?

He’s no longer calling the day-to-day shots or counted as a key decision-maker.

The move is a strategic one, as Adani Ports already has capable leadership in Managing Director Karan Adani and CEO Ashwani Gupta.

Adani, 63, announced plans to retire at 70, and hand over control to his sons, Karan and Jeet, and their cousins, ensuring a systematic transition.

But here’s where it gets spicy.

Everyone’s asking the same question: Why now?

Because APSEZ isn’t just any company. It handles nearly 28% of all India’s port cargo and is the crown jewel of the Adani empire.

And Gautamji’s exit comes after a stormy few months:

• A Wall Street Journal bombshell about Adani’s port possibly helping move sanctioned Iranian fuel into India.
  

• A $250 million bribery and fraud probe in the US, targeting Adani and his top people.
  

• Allegations from short-seller Hindenburg Research that the group misled US investors and greased palms in India to win mega energy deals.

Compliance

The timing raised more eyebrows than a Bollywood plot twist. 

The Adani Group told Gulf News this was all part of good old corporate governance, i.e. rulebook stuff: the move is reportedly in compliance with the Companies Act (2013) – which prohibits holding executive roles in multiple companies simultaneously. 

It’s been one headline after another.

Investors didn’t take the resignation lightly either. APSEZ shares dropped 2%, falling to ₹1,361.10 in intraday trading—pulling the Nifty 50 index down with it.

Is Adani retreating?

Far from it. His eyes are set on the larger-than-life ideas.

In response to reports that an 18-year-old Indian student had ended his own life after failing a competitive test, Adani was quoted as saying: "Life is bigger than an exam."

If anything, the ports baron's recent move is a strategic repositioning.

Years before his planned retirement, and amid the tests he's hurdling, Adani’s legacy as a disruptive entrepreneur endures.

His focus on big ideas — nation-building, infrastructure, defence and sustainability — will continue to shape India’s economic landscape for years to come. 

One thing’s clear: Adani may be stepping back, but the heat? Very much on.