Even the country’s wealthiest individuals were not immune to the turmoil that swept global financial markets on Monday. The dramatic crash wiped out billions of dollars in investor wealth, and India’s top four billionaires—Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Savitri Jindal & family, and Shiv Nadar—collectively saw their net worths plunge by over $10 billion, according to the Forbes real-time billionaire tracker. This rare alignment of global market forces triggered one of the steepest wealth erosions among India’s elite in recent memory.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries and India’s richest man, bore the brunt of the rout. His personal fortune plummeted by a massive $3.6 billion, bringing his total wealth down to $87.7 billion. Ambani’s companies, including Reliance Retail, Jio Platforms, and Reliance Energy, were not spared in the broad-based market selloff, which erased billions in market capitalization in a matter of hours.
Gautam Adani, the industrialist behind the sprawling Adani Group, saw his wealth shrink by $3 billion, with his current net worth now at $57.3 billion. The Adani Group, which has exposure to sectors like infrastructure, energy, ports, and airports, was among the worst hit during the meltdown, especially as global investors dumped emerging market stocks amid escalating fears of a recession.
Savitri Jindal & family, who control the OP Jindal Group, saw their wealth tumble by $2.2 billion. Their total fortune now stands at $33.9 billion, placing Savitri Jindal at 45th position on the global rich list. The decline reflects the battering taken by metal and steel companies, with the Nifty Metal index alone crashing by 8% in a single session.
Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies, also witnessed a sharp decline in his net worth. His wealth fell by $1.5 billion, bringing his total to $30.9 billion, largely due to the deep losses in the IT sector, which bore the brunt of investor pessimism over global tech demand and trade headwinds.
Markets in Freefall: Bloodbath Across Sectors
The carnage in the markets was widespread. The Sensex nosedived by over 3,000 points, and the Nifty 50 index slipped below the psychological 22,000 mark, triggering panic across trading floors. All sectoral indices were deep in the red, with not a single one spared from the selloff.
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Nifty Metal tanked 8%, reflecting concerns over global industrial demand and trade restrictions.
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Nifty IT plunged over 7%, as fears over tech layoffs, export slowdowns, and global client spending cuts intensified.
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Auto, Realty, and Oil & Gas indices all declined by more than 5%, indicating a broad-based lack of confidence in both consumer demand and corporate earnings.
The pain was more acute in the broader markets, where small-cap stocks plummeted by 10% and mid-cap stocks dropped 7.3%, eroding investor wealth across every segment. This massive correction has wiped out gains made over the past several months and triggered margin calls for many retail traders.
Expert Reactions: Uncertainty the New Norm
Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said that the sharp fall was fueled by global volatility, largely stemming from rising trade tensions and uncertainty surrounding US economic policy. “No one knows how this situation, triggered by Trump’s sweeping tariff hikes, is going to unfold. Markets are reacting not just to numbers, but to fear and unpredictability,” he said.
However, he added a note of reassurance, saying that India might be relatively insulated, as only 2% of India’s GDP is tied to exports to the US. He highlighted ongoing negotiations between India and the US for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, which could potentially ease tariff pressures on Indian goods and help mitigate long-term fallout.
Global Wealth Erosion: Billionaires Worldwide in the Red
This market shock isn’t limited to India. Around the world, the richest individuals are seeing staggering losses amid a broader erosion of investor confidence.
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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has seen his net worth drop by a jaw-dropping $130 billion in 2025 alone. He still retains the top spot with $302 billion, but the scale of the drop is unprecedented.
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Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has lost $45.2 billion, leaving him with a current fortune of $193 billion.
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Mark Zuckerberg, head of Meta, has seen a $28.1 billion decline, bringing his wealth down to $179 billion.
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Bernard Arnault, the French billionaire behind luxury conglomerate LVMH, experienced a drop of $18.6 billion, putting his net worth at $158 billion.
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Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, lost $3.38 billion, bringing him level with legendary investor Warren Buffett, both now at $155 billion.
Buffett the Outlier: Making Gains Amid Chaos
In contrast to the widespread losses, Warren Buffett, often called the Oracle of Omaha, has been an outlier in 2025. The seasoned investor has actually added $12.7 billion to his net worth this year, thanks to his value-based investment strategies and holdings in defensive sectors like healthcare and insurance. His net worth currently stands at $155 billion, allowing him to weather the storm better than many of his peers.
Outlook: A Test of Resilience
The global market downturn has not only reshaped wealth rankings but also raised fundamental questions about economic stability, geopolitical risk, and the future of globalization. As India braces for more volatility, policymakers and investors alike will need to stay vigilant, adaptable, and informed. For the billionaires, it's a test of patience and strategy. For the average investor, it’s a moment to reflect on resilience, diversification, and long-term planning.
