The top 10 highest paid Indian women

in business
SINDHU KASHYAP
30 MAY 2015

1427

According to several business journals and magazines, Marissa Mayer, Yahoo CEO
was one the top female executive in the world. In 2014, she was taking home close
to USD 42.1 million. Some of the other world women business leaders were
Martine Rothblatt taking home close to USD 31.6 million, 24th in the list of
highest paid women Chief Executives, Meg Whitman, USD 19.6 million, 72 on
the list Carol Mayrowitz, TJX Companies, ranked 54th and Indra Nooyi of Pepsico
USD 19.1 million is ranked 81st.

However, India isnt far behind in this competition , here is a list of the highest
paid Indian women in business.
1.

Kavery Kalanithi, Managing Director, Sun TV network

Possibly one of the highest paid woman in business, Kavery Kalanithi , wife of the
media tycoon Kalanithi Maran. This is even after a decline in her pay packet from
Rs. 72 crore. As of fiscal year 2014, her total compensated pay package was Rs.
598,900,000. She has also served as the chairman at SpiceJet Limited since 2010
November and as its non-executive director from November 15, 2010 to January
30, 2015.

2.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Ltd

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
The CMD of Indias largest publicly traded biopharma organisation, Kiran
Mazumdar Shaw is in fact, one of the top 100 most powerful woman in the world.
In 2014, she was also awarded the Othmer Gold Medal for outstanding
contribution to the progress of science and chemistry. She has been described as

the wealthiest self-made woman in India by Forbes magazine. As of fiscal year

2014, her total compensation was Rs. 16,347,463 (Read More)
3.

Urvi A Piramal, Chairperson Ashok Piramal Group

Widowed at 32, Urvi entered the world of business in 1984. She entered a
tumultuous phase in the business, after her husband Ashok Piramal, who was
heading the family business. In 2005, after the family business split what Urvi and
her sons inherited were a dying texile mill and two engineering companies. The
assets, in fact, were with negative networth. However, in seven years flat, she
managed to turn the business around. Today, the business interests have diversified
in several sectors and by 2012 -2013 her annual salary was Rs. 7.3 crore.

4.

Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO, ICICI Bank.

Since 2005, Chanda Kochhar has consequently been featured in Fortunes list of
Most Powerful Women in Business. In 2009, she also ranked 20 in Forbes
Worlds 100 Most Powerful Women. Chanda Kochhar is widely recognised for
her role in shaping the retail banking sector in India and for her leadership of the
ICICI Group, as well as her contributions to various forums in India and globally.
As of 2014, Chanda Kocchars total compensated packaged was Rs. 52,282,644.
(Read More)

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Chanda Kochhar
5.

Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson, HT India

A former member of the Rajya Sabha, Shobhana Bhartia is the Chairperson and
Editorial Director of the Hindustan Times Group. When she inherited the business
from her father, KK Birla, the media venture wasnt supposed to be a profitmaking venture. Today, HT Media is one of the most profitable and successful
media businesses in the country. In financial year 2014, Shobhana led the
company to a net profit of Rs.155 crore from a Rs. 24 crore the previous year. As
of 2014, Shobana was drawing a total compensated package of Rs. 26,880,000

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Shobhana Bhartia
6.

Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospital Enterprises

The Managing Director of one of the largest healthcare conglomerates of the
country, Preetha Reddy is believed to be a pioneering businesswoman in the
healthcare sector. As of fiscal year 2014, her total compensated package was Rs.
51,110,000. Under her leadership, Apollo along with the Government of India
helped introduce the NABH National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and
Healthcare providers.

Image Courtesy: Google Images.

Preetha Reddy
7.

Vinita Singhania, Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement

She has been listed as one of the most powerful women in business in 2013. Vinita
Singhania was also the first woman president of the Cement Manufacturers
Association from 2009 to 2012. Her foray into business started after her husband
Sripati Singhanias sudden demise in 1998. Under her leadership JK Lakshmi has
shown a 62 per cent jump in profit during 2012-2013. Within five years of taking
over, she raised the turnover of the organisation from Rs. 100 crore to 450 crore.
As of 2014, Vinita was drawing a package of Rs. 43, 973,000.

8.

Vinita Bali, Britannia Industries

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Vinita Bali
While she served as the CEO of Britannia industries from January 2005 to March
2014, she has been ranked among the worlds top 50 business women and has also
received a Forbes Leadership Award. As of 2014, her package was Rs. 41,083,742.
9.

Renu Sud Karnad, Managing Director, HDFC

The MD of HDFC since January 2010, Renu Sud Karnad has played a key role in
product development, strategy and budget. She is considered somewhat as
financial expert and has significant expertise in international business. As of 2014,
she was drawing a package of Rs. 71,619,159.

10.

Suneeta Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals

Sister of Preetha Reddy, Suneeta Reddy is the Joint MD of Apollo Group of
Hospitals. Known for her strong financial acumen, Suneeta is believed to have
played a key role in encouraging medical value travellers to Apollo Hospitals. She
also led the Apollo Reach Hospitals Model, which was commended by the World
Bank. As of 2014, Suneetas total compensated package was Rs. 51,840,000