Amongst the richest women in India in 2024, Savitri Jindal stands atop the list with a staggering net worth of Rs 2.7 lakh crore, according to Forbes. Many of the women on the list have gained their wealth from their families. And there are others who are some of the richest self-made women in India, including Kanika Tekriwal…
Meet Kanika Tekriwal, one of the richest self-made women in India
Kanika Tekriwal is the founder and CEO of JetSetGo, India’s first and leading aircraft leasing company. According to DNA India, Kanika’s net worth stands at Rs 420 crore. In 2021, Tekriwal made it to the Hurun Rich List as the youngest richest woman in India. JetSetGo’s revenue in F Y23-34 stood at Rs 341 crore, with predictions of significant growth in FY 24-25 — Rs 400 crore revenue, according to The Hindu Business Line.
Background
It wasn’t an easy journey for Kanika Tekriwal to the top of the mountain. Born to a Marwari family, Kanika’s dream of becoming a pilot was almost sabotaged because of her family’s conservative beliefs. Working hard to attain her dreams, Tekriwal graduated in Economics from Mumbai University and earned an MBA in Finance from Coventry University, England.
Kanika, who has more than a decade of experience in the aviation industry, was diagnosed with cancer; stage-2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, at age 21, according to Gulf News. A few years later (2012-2013), while in recovery mode, she launched JetSetGo alongside co-founder Sudheer Perla. JetSetGo operates one of India’s largest aircraft fleets. Reportedly, she owns 10 private jets.
As of 2022, JetSetGo has handled 28 aircraft of HNWIs in India as well as the Middle East, covering both domestic and international destinations. It currently operates on a fleet of 11 aircraft, flying to places across the globe like New York, Japan, and Korea, while also pioneering air taxis in India.
Kanika Tekriwal, who believes that her team is her “biggest stakeholder,” shared with Gulf News her definition of success —“To me, success is about being able to sleep without a worry. And I say this because peaceful sleep is the hardest to achieve today. Success is also being able to look at myself in the mirror with pride and be happy with what I am doing.”
The 33-year-old accomplished businesswoman and one of the richest self-made women in India also made it to BBC 100 Women’s list of 2022. Kanika Tekriwal, according to The Hindu Business Line, revealed that JetSetGo has plans for an IPO by 2027-2028. Kanika is married to P. Sarath Chandra Reddy, Non-Executive Director at Aurobindo Pharma.
