Adar Poonawalla biography: Adar Poonawalla, born on January 14, 1981, in Pune, Maharashtra, and currently 43 years old, is a well-known figure in the vaccine industry. As the CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), the largest vaccine maker in the world, Adar has been key in improving health around the globe.
Family
Adar Poonawalla was born into a wealthy Parsi (Zoroastrian) family. His father, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, founded the Serum Institute. His father also taught him the values of hard work and helping others, which have guided him in his career.
Education
Adar grew up in Pune, first attending The Bishop’s School and later St. Edmund’s School in Canterbury. He studied at the University of Westminster in London, where he earned a degree in Business Management. This education helped him prepare for his career in the pharmaceutical field.
Career in Business
He joined SII in 2001 and brought new ideas to the company, which was then selling products to only 35 countries. In 2011, Adar became the CEO of SII. His time in charge has been marked by growth and new ideas. He helped the company buy Bilthoven Biologicals in 2012, which increased its reach and capabilities. He also launched the oral polio vaccine in 2014, which quickly became very popular. Today, SII offers vaccines for diseases like dengue, flu, and cervical cancer.
Thanks to Adar’s leadership, SII now exports its products to over 140 countries, with most of its revenue coming from international sales. This global presence has made SII a major player in fighting infectious diseases worldwide. In 2021, Adar also became the chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp, focusing on growth in financial services.
Purchasing Stake in Dharma
Adar Poonawalla grabbed attention in October 2024 by purchasing a 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for ₹1,000 crore, which values the production house at ₹2,000 crore. Despite this substantial investment, Karan Johar will maintain creative control, serving as the Executive Chairman and creative head of Dharma.
This acquisition is viewed as an important move in the ongoing trend of consolidation in the entertainment industry. It also marks Poonawalla’s expansion beyond the pharmaceutical sector into the world of entertainment.
Philanthropy
Adar is also known for his charitable work. In 2020, he donated $66 million to the University of Oxford to build the Poonawalla Vaccines Research Building, showing his commitment to vaccine research. His efforts have earned him awards, including Philanthropist of the Year from GQ Magazine in 2016.
Wife and Children
Outside of work, Adar is a family man. He married Natasha Poonawalla on December 15, 2006. Natasha has completed a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics.
Together, they make a strong team in business and charity. Natasha leads the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation and works as Executive Director at SII. The couple has two sons, Cyrus and Darius, born in 2009 and 2015.
Adar Poonawalla biography: House
Adar Poonawalla and his wife, Natasha Poonawalla, are the owners of Lincoln House, an impressive Grade-III listed mansion in Mumbai. Designed by British architect Claude Batley in 1933, this luxurious property covers two acres in South Mumbai. They bought it for an astonishing ₹750 crores (around $90 million), making it one of the largest property transactions in history.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Adar Poonawalla’s net worth is estimated to be around USD 17 billion. His wealth has significantly increased, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic due to SII’s work with AstraZeneca on COVID-19 vaccines.
Adar Poonawalla boasts a remarkable car collection featuring some of the most luxurious and exotic vehicles. Among his prized possessions are a Ferrari 360 Spider, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a McLaren 720S, a Bentley Continental GT, and a customized Batmobile built from a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Conclusion
Adar Poonawalla’s journey from a young boy in Pune to a global leader in the vaccine industry is truly inspiring. Through his role as CEO of the Serum Institute of India, he has not only driven significant advancements in vaccine production but has also shown a deep commitment to philanthropy and global health.
Adar Poonawalla biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and sources believed to be reliable. This post is for informational purposes only. India At Present Info. will not be responsible for any wrong information, readers are encouraged to check the information independently.
