Ananda Krishnan

Net Worth: $7.6 bil
Fortune: Self Made
Source: telecom
Age: 71
Country Of Citizenship: Malaysia
Residence: Kuala Lumpur
Education: Harvard U, Master of Business Administration; Melbourne U, Bachelor of Arts / Science
Marital Status: Married, 3 children
A Tamil Malaysian of Sri Lankan Tamil origin, also referred to as TAK, he graduated from Harvard Business School and started his career as an oil trader. His biggest holding is Maxis Communications, Malaysia's largest cell phone service provider, with over 11 million subscribers. Spinning off the successful Malaysian business into Maxis, he took it public last November, raising $3.4 billion in what was Malaysia's largest ever IPO. Three years ago, he had taken it private in a $5 billion deal, then sold 25% of Maxis Communications to Saudi Telecom and bought 35% in Sri Lanka Telecom, all in quick succession. Also has telecom interests in Indonesia and India which are still privately held. Other assets include satellite TV broadcaster Astro All Asia Networks and Johnston Press in London. Modern art collector, has homes in Kuala Lumpur, London, south of France, and a stud farm in Australia. A notable philanthropist, his privately held holding entity Usaha Tegas is a major donor to various causes, including education, sports and the arts. Has a son who is a monk and lives in a forest.