Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was a prominent Indian stock trader, investor, and founder of Rare Enterprises, an asset management firm. He co-founded the budget airline Akasa Air and was widely known as the “Big Bull of Dalal Street” and "India's Warren Buffett."
Known for his strong knowledge, strategic foresight, he became one of the most prominent figures in the country’s stock market. Over the decades, his investments in firms such as Titan Company, Star Health, Allied Insurance, and Metro Brands generated substantial wealth and inspired millions of retail investors.
In this blog, we take a closer look at Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s net worth, portfolio, and professional journey.
Quick Facts about Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Here are a few key details about Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s net worth and Personal Profile
At the time of his death, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s net worth in rupees was ₹ 4.8 lakh crore ($ 5.8 billion). His net worth is derived from his strategic and successful investments in major companies like Titan, Tata Motors, Star Health etc.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's date of birth is July 5, 1960. His father’s name was Radheyshyam Jhunjhunwala, and he was an income tax officer. His mother’s name was Urmila Jhunjhunwala. He had 3 siblings, one brother and two sisters.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's wife's name is Rekha Jhunjhunwala, who was a partner with him in the company Rare Enterprises. They were married in 1987. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's children include twin sons and one daughter. The twin sons are named Aryaman and Aryaveer, and the daughter is named Nishtha. After Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passed away in 2022, his wife carried out his role in managing the family’s investment legacy.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Educational Profile
Rakesh Jhujhuwala had an educational background in finance and accounting, which served as the foundation for his strong interest and passion in building a career in the stock market. His educational background was as follows:
Graduation: Commerce Graduate from Sydenham College, Mumbai
Professional Qualification: Chartered Accountant in 1985.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Professional Journey
The table below shows Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s professional journey.
Year
Event
1985
Began investing in the stock market during his graduation days
1986
Earned his first major profit of ₹5 lakh from stock market investments
1986–1989
Generated profits of approximately ₹20–25 lakh through trading and investments
2013
Purchased 6 apartments in Ridgeway Building, Malabar Hill from Standard Chartered Bank for ₹176 crore.
2017
Acquired the remaining 6 apartments in the same Ridgeway Building from HSBC for ₹195 crore.
2021
Began construction of a 70,000 sq. ft., 13-storey residence after demolishing the old Ridgeway property.
July 2021
Invested $400 million in Akasa Air for a 40% stake.
2021
His largest investment was in Titan Company, valued at ₹7,294.8 crore.
7 August 2022
Flew on the inaugural Mumbai–Ahmedabad flight of Akasa Air.
2022
His investments had grown to approximately ₹11,000 crore.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Key Portfolio Holdings
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's deep-rooted experience and fundamentals in the stock market made him well-versed in identifying the high-growth sectors early and contributing to profitable investment opportunities. His key portfolio holdings included:
Akasa Air: Co-founded the airline in 2021, holding a 40-46% stake.
In addition to investing, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala also explored the entertainment industry by co-producing films like English Vinglish, Shamitabh and Ki & Ka.
Summary
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, popularly known as the Big Bull of Dalal Street, remains one of the most influential figures in India’s stock market history.
Starting his investment journey with just ₹5,000 in 1985, he built a massive fortune through strategic stock market investments and long-term contributions to India’s economic growth story.
Beyond stock market investing, he also ventured into entrepreneurship by co-founding Akasa Air, a budget airline. Through his firm Rare Enterprises, he managed his investments and built a legacy that inspired millions of investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s airline company?
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala co-founded Akasa Air in 2021 and invested around $400 million in the airline, holding a major stake.
What is the name of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s wife?
Rekha Jhunjhunwala is the wife of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and was also his partner in the investment firm Rare Enterprises.
Who are Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s children ?
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala had three children: one daughter, Nishtha, and two sons, Aryaman and Aryaveer.
What was Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s education?
He completed his Commerce graduation from Sydenham College, Mumbai, and later qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1985.
When did Rakesh Jhunjhunwala pass away?
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passed away on 14 August 2022 in Mumbai.
What was Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s age when he passed away?
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was 62 years old when he passed away on 14 August 2022 in Mumbai.
Author: Komal Bhatt
Komal Bhatt is a finance content writer at InvestKraft, specialising in research-based articles on financial products, markets, and investment opportunities, including unlisted shares. She holds a Master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Delhi, providing a strong academic foundation in finance and business.
With over three years of experience in digital content, she focuses on simplifying complex financial topics into clear, accurate, and reader-friendly information. Her background includes creating content related to finance certifications such as wealth management and NISM programs, strengthening her understanding of financial markets and investor education.