Ambani, Adani, Nadar lose $30.5 billion; Trump's tariffs trigger wealth wipeout

India’s richest are navigating rough financial waters in 2025 as global trade tensions unleash chaos across markets. The country’s billionaire class, once riding high on surging stock valuations, has witnessed a dramatic reversal—losing a combined $30.5 billion, or approximately Rs 2.63 lakh crore, in just a few months.

The catalyst behind this wealth wipeout? US President Donald Trump’s aggressive new wave of tariffs. As global supply chains reel from fresh import duties, foreign investors are pulling out of emerging markets like India, triggering a sharp equity correction.

Asia’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, is among those hit. His fortune has shrunk by $3.42 billion this year, bringing his net worth to $87.2 billion. While his flagship Reliance Industries remains steady, Jio Financial Services has tumbled 24%, weighing down his overall valuation.

Gautam Adani has also taken a heavy blow, losing $6.05 billion in 2025. His conglomerate continues to face investor scrutiny over debt levels and volatility, and Adani Enterprises alone has dipped 9% this year.

But the biggest setback has been for tech tycoon Shiv Nadar. The HCL founder’s net worth has plummeted by a staggering $10.5 billion, making him the worst-hit Indian billionaire in the current downturn.

Other industry stalwarts haven’t been spared. Savitri Jindal has lost $2.4 billion, while pharma magnate Dilip Shanghvi is down by $3.34 billion amid regulatory heat and sector-wide earnings pressure. Sun Pharma’s stock alone has slid nearly 11% in 2025.

This billionaire bleed-out mirrors broader market stress. The Sensex and Nifty are both down roughly 4.5% year-to-date. Midcap and smallcap indices have plunged over 14% and 17%, respectively, reflecting nervousness among retail investors and FIIs alike.

As Trump's tariffs compound fears of a global slowdown, India’s elite are discovering that no portfolio—no matter how large—is immune from global economic shockwaves.