Meet richest man in Pune, father-in-law of fashion-icon, owns one of biggest pharma companies in India, he is...

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla is one of the visionaries that formed the Serum Institute of India (SII) as a towering figure in world healthcare, starting from being a horse breeder's son from Pune. He, by way of sheer will, formed the company in 1966 and transformed it into becoming the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. Today, this organization produces an astonishing 1.5 billion doses yearly to protect lives from the dreadful diseases of measles, polio, and influenza.

Now 82, the work of Dr. Poonawalla gained more recognition in the COVID-19 pandemic. He led SII in mass-producing the Covishield vaccine, which played a crucial role in global immunization. He was given the Padma Bhushan award for his work in public health in 2022. His life has not been without problems, despite the unparalleled success he has enjoyed. A property dispute prevented him from entering his home.

The third richest Indian as per the Hurun list, the wealth of Dr. Poonawalla has reached a Rs 2.78 lakh crore level due to his company's successful COVID-19 vaccines, a jump of 36%. Along with the huge stakes he holds in the leading financial services firm, Poonawalla Fincorp, Forbes has estimated his net worth to be at $20.9 billion, that is about Rs 1,66,500 crore.

The legacy lives on under the stewardship of his son, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the company. Meanwhile, the daughter-in-law, Natasha Poonawalla, shines as an international fashion icon and businesswoman.

Though his journey is rooted in the scientific rigor of vaccine development, Dr. Poonawalla's story is also one of resilience and vision. A graduate of Pune University, where he later earned a PhD, he was also honored with an honorary degree from the University of Oxford. Through dedication and innovation, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla has left an indelible mark on global health, saving millions of lives and ensuring his place among India's most inspiring leaders.