Rakesh Jhunjhunwala: How He Became India’s Billionaire “Big Bull”

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, one of India’s most successful and famous investors, is also known as the “Big Bull of India”. Coming from a simple family and starting with just ₹ 5,000, this chartered accountant made his mark in the stock market. 

In this blog, we will know how Rakesh Jhunjhunwala made a fortune worth crores, interesting information related to his net worth, and educational background.

Early Life & Education

Detail	Information
Name	Rakesh Radheshyam Jhunjhunwala
Date of Birth	5 July 1960
Place of Birth	Hyderabad, Telangana (then Andhra Pradesh)
Father’s Name	Radheshyam Jhunjhunwala
Education	B.Com (Sydenham College), Chartered Accountant (ICAI)
Profession	Investor, Trader, Businessman
Date of Death	14 August 2022, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was born in a Marwari family, where the concepts of ​​business and investment were part of everyday conversation since childhood. His father was an officer in the Income Tax Department and was himself interested in the stock market. From here, Rakesh ji’s interest also grew towards the market. From childhood, he used to hear his father talking about shares and gradually he started reading share prices and names of companies in newspapers.

He graduated in commerce from Sydenham College, Mumbai. After this, he started studying chartered accountancy and in 1985 he became a qualified CA. During his studies, he understood that he wanted to make a career in the stock market.

Soon after becoming a CA, he entered the stock market with a capital of ₹5,000. At that time he did not have any big resources, but he had confidence, knowledge of doing research and courage to take risks. This quality makes him different from millions of investors. He understood the market not just as a source of income but as an art and a science – and this thinking earned him the title of “Big Bull of India”.

Read Also: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Penny Stocks

Starting the Investment Journey

Lets look at the journey of Rakesh Jhunjhnwala in the stock market over the years:

• Started Investment Journey with just ₹5,000 : Rakesh Jhunjhunwala entered the stock market in 1985, when he started his investment with just ₹5,000. At that time, the BSE Sensex was only around 150. This was the time when common people considered the stock market as gambling, but Rakesh ji saw it as an opportunity.
• Initial Loans from brother’s clients :His conviction and dedication impressed his brother’s clients, who trusted him with ₹2.5 lakh to invest. With this capital, he expanded his initial investment a little and focused on investing in some good stocks.
• First big profit : His first notable profit came in 1986, not long after entering the market. At that time, he bought 5,000 shares of Tata Tea at a price of ₹43. In just a few months, this stock reached ₹ 143. That is, his investment grew to almost three times his initial stake. This success was a turning point for him, which convinced him that with research, patience and time, big money can be earned from the stock market.
• Gradually built a strong portfolio : After Tata Tea, he identified good companies one after the other and invested in them for the long term. Companies like Sesa Goa, Lupin, Titan, Crisil became part of his portfolio. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala believed that if the fundamentals of the company are strong, then it is beneficial to invest in it for years.
• Investment thinking : He did not just buy shares – he understood the company. He always believed in quality business and did not run after popular stocks. He held his investments for the long term, due to which his winners yielded multibagger returns over time.

He always believed in the principle: “Buy right, sit tight.” i.e., invest in the right company and then stay patient.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Net Worth Over Time

Net Worth Timeline

Year	Estimated Net Worth	Sources and descriptions
1985 (beginning)	₹5,000	Started investing with his own savings
1990	Approx. ₹25 lakhs	Early investment in stocks like Tata Tea, Sesa Goa yielded profits
2002	₹250 crores +	Stocks like Titan, Praj Industries gave tremendous returns
2013	$1.3 Billion (~₹9,000 Cr)	Forbes India Billionaires List
2018	$3 Billion (~₹21,000 Cr)	Growth of Multibagger Stocks
August 2022 (Death)	$5.8 Billion (~₹46,000 Cr)	His net worth before death according to Forbes and ET
January 2025	₹50,310 crore	Based on listed portfolio of RARE Enterprises
March 2025	₹64,552.8 crore	Trendlyne data Public holdings of 27 stocks

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Per Day Income & Portfolio Strategy

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s net worth was around ₹46,000 crores at the time of his death in 2022, which has increased to more than ₹64,500 crores by 2025. The value of his portfolio changes drastically every day due to the market fluctuations. His income cannot be compared to a salary with a fixed amount, but it was completely based on the performance of his invested stocks and dividends received.

Features of Portfolio Strategy : His investment strategy was clear; he held strong companies for the long term and did not believe in frequent trades. He believed that the most effective way to earn profits was to identify quality companies and stay invested for the long term.

Key points of his strategy:

• Investment in companies with strong fundamentals
• Focus on the quality of management
• Clear thinking of long-term growth
• Limited portfolio rebalancing

Beyond Stock Market: Akasa Air & Private Ventures

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala wasn’t just a stock market investor he was also a visionary businessman who contributed to India’s economy.

• Co‑Founder of Akasa Air : He joined Akasa Air in July 2021 and invested $35 million in the initial round, giving him a nearly 40% stake. He increased his investment to bring his total stake to 46%, making him Akasa Air’s largest stakeholder. Today, Akasa Air’s fleet has expanded to 27 aircraft and offers services across 28 destinations.

• Boardrooms & Mentorship : He served on the boards of several companies: places like Aptech, Hungama Digital Media, Praj Industries, Nagarjuna Construction Company, Prime Focus and Geojit Financial Services, etc. Jhunjhunwala wasn’t just an investor; he was a guide to the people trying to establish their businesses.

• India‑First Growth Vision : He believed that India’s growth story had just begun. Whether it was the aviation sector or technology, he looked at everything as an opportunity. Akasa Air exemplifies this vision as an airline that not only offers top-notch services but also wants to contribute to India’s economic growth.

Investment Philosophy & Life Lessons

Rakesh Jhunjhnwala’s investment philosophy and life lessons can be summarized in the following points:

• Do thorough research and analysis : Rakesh Jhunjhunwala believed that no investment in the stock market should be made without research. He used to invest only after doing thorough research on the fundamentals, management quality and future growth of the company.
• Diversification is essential: He always emphasized on diversifying portfolios. He considered it risky to invest all the money in a single sector or stock. He believed that investing in different sectors reduces the risk and ensures stability in the long term.
• Buy Right, Sit Tight : His most famous thought was – “Buy Right, Sit Tight”. But this did not mean just buying shares and sitting tight. He used to say that the mark of a real investor is to identify a strong company and trust it for a long time.
• Long term vision : Jhunjhunwala believed that the market is not always stable. There will be periods of significant fluctuations, but a wise investor is the one who does not panic at that time; rather trusts his rationale behind investments. 

He did not consider investment as just a means of earning money. According to him, every loss is a lesson and every investment is a learning. His mantra was trust knowledge and analysis, not tips.

Read Also: 10 Top Investors In India And Their Portfolios

Life After Death: Legacy, Family, and Impact 

The news of the sudden demise of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala on 14 August 2022 left the entire nation stunned. On his demise, everyone from common investors to veteran business leaders paid tribute to him on social media.

After him, his wife Rekha Jhunjhunwala carried forward his investment legacy. The companies included in his portfolio are still standing strong, and the firm RARE Enterprises founded by him is active in the investment world.

Rakesh ji inspired millions to start their investment journey with his thoughts and experiences. Even today, his words “Be patient, keep learning, do research” guide the new generation of investors.

Conclusion

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s story tells us that to be successful in the stock market, it is not necessary to start with a huge amount- you just need to have knowledge and the courage to hold your investments during volatile market conditions. The knowledge he has left behind through his decisions remains an inspiration for every investor even today. His journey proves that with discipline, knowledge, and patience, even modest beginnings can lead to extraordinary success in the stock market.

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