Adi Godrej, Industrialist
Industrialist

Adi Godrej

Born 3 April 1942 · Maharashtra

Led the Godrej Group to become a major Indian conglomerate with diverse industrial interests.

Adi Burjorji Godrej is an Indian billionaire businessman and head of the Godrej family, chairman of the Godrej Group. As of November 2025, he has an estimated net worth of US$4 billion.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Adi Godrej was a member of both Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society during his MBA at MIT Sloan, combining management and technical distinctions.

The Story

1
In 1964, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, Adi Godrej earned his MBA while joining Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, a rare blend of management and technical excellence.
2
🌍 Returning to India during the restrictive License Raj era, Adi pioneered modernizing the Godrej Group’s management and operational processes, steering it through tight government controls in the 1970s and 1980s.
3💼 In 2011, he became chairman of the Indian School of Business, influencing management education for seven years and shaping future Indian business leaders.
4🏆 By 2012, Adi had received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, recognizing his role in industrial growth and philanthropy.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2013
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Despite heading a major industrial conglomerate, Adi Godrej pursued advanced management studies abroad and was an active member of technical and social fraternities at MIT in the 1960s.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Portrait of Adi Godrej, Indian industrialist and Chairman of The Godrej Group (2008).
Portrait of Adi Godrej, Indian industrialist and Chairman of The Godrej Group (2008).
2008
Adi Godrej at the India Economic Summit press conference in Mumbai (2011).
Adi Godrej meeting Union Minister Anand Sharma in New Delhi during a CII event (2012).
Adi Godrej with wife Parmeshwar Godrej at a red carpet show (2023).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Bombay
Adi Burjorji Godrej was born in Bombay, British India, into the prominent Godrej industrial family.
1942
📚
Education
MBA from MIT Sloan
Graduated with an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management; member of Pi Lambda Phi and Tau Beta Pi.
1964
⚡
Career
Modernized Godrej Group
Returned to India and implemented process and management improvements during the License Raj, modernizing the family business.
c.1970
⚡
Career
Chairman Indian School of Business
Appointed chairman of the Indian School of Business, serving until 2018 to influence management education.
2011
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for contributions to trade and industry.
2012
⚡
Career
President of CII
Served as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2012–13.
2012
⚡
Career
Steps down as Godrej Industries chairman
Announced stepping down as chairman of Godrej Industries but continues as chairman emeritus and chairman of Godrej Group.
2021
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2012, Adi Godrej was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his impact beyond business into social and environmental philanthropy.

02 / 04
💡SURPRISING

The Godrej Group’s holding company has 25% of its shares locked in philanthropic trusts, channeling funds directly into education, healthcare, and environmental projects like WWF and mangrove conservation.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During the License Raj, a period marked by government restrictions on industry, Godrej modernized family business management structures, a move that preserved and expanded the company’s reach despite regulatory hurdles.

No quote recorded for Adi Godrej yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Notes Ban May Have Negatives, But Will Do Good: Adi Godrej
·YouTube
More from this archive
Notes Ban May Have Negatives, But Will Do Good: Adi Godrej
01
Notes Ban May Have Negatives, But Will Do Good: Adi Godrej
YouTube
India Today Conclave Arun Jaitley, Adi Godrej, Bajaj Basu Malvinder Session
02
India Today Conclave Arun Jaitley, Adi Godrej, Bajaj Basu Malvinder Session
YouTube
Adi Godrej Speech during Inauguration of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013
03
Adi Godrej Speech during Inauguration of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013
YouTube
Adi Godrej on expectations from new government
04
Adi Godrej on expectations from new government
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Adi Godrej redefined Indian industrial management during the License Raj by introducing process efficiencies and modern governance in the Godrej Group, helping it survive and thrive under stringent regulations. His establishment of philanthropic trusts embedded long-term support for environmental sustainability and education, influencing corporate responsibility models in India. Additionally, his role in management education institutions like the Indian School of Business helped professionalize Indian business leadership.

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