Ananda Krishnan Biography: Age, Net Worth, Children, Wife, Controversy, Instagram

Ananda Krishnan is a successful and low-profile business magnate from Malaysia who rose to prominence through his investments in various industries, particularly telecommunications, media, and oil services.

He is best known for founding Maxis, Malaysia’s leading telecommunications company, and the media giant Astro, which significantly solidified his influence in the business world.

With his company, Usaha Tegas, Krishnan expanded his business empire, making him a well-known figure in the global market.

Profile

•   Full name: Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan
•   Nickname: AK
•   Date of birth: April 1, 1938
•   Age: 86 years old
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
•   Nationality: Malaysian
•   Profession: Business magnate, investor
•   Height: N/A
•   Parents: N/A
•   Siblings: N/A
•   Spouse: Sreelekha Mitra (Shrilekha) ​(m. 2017)​
•   Children: Ven Ajahn Siripanyo (son), two daughters (names N/A)
•   Relationship status: N/A
•   Religion: Buddhism
•   Ethnicity: Tamil Malaysian
•   Net worth: $5.8 billion

Early Life and Education

Ananda Krishnan was born on April 1, 1938, in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is now 86 years old as of 2024. Coming from a Tamil Malaysian background,

Krishnan’s early years were rooted in a close-knit, multicultural community. Little is known about his immediate family, including his parents and siblings, as he has managed to keep his personal life away from the public eye.

Krishnan attended Victoria Institution, a prominent school in Kuala Lumpur, where he developed a reputation for being a diligent student. Later, he pursued higher education abroad, earning an honours degree in Political Science from the University of Melbourne.

Krishnan furthered his academic credentials by obtaining a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, which laid the foundation for his future endeavours in the corporate world. His early experiences and education gave him the tools to navigate the complex business landscape he would eventually dominate.

Personal Life

Ananda Krishnan’s personal life is notably private, with minimal public information regarding his family. He has three children, including his son Ven Ajahn Siripanyo, who took a markedly different path from his father by becoming a Buddhist monk in Thailand.

His two daughters’ names have not been publicly disclosed, and Krishnan’s marital status remains undisclosed. Despite his vast fortune and influence,

Krishnan has maintained an extremely low profile, which extends into his relationships. Little is known about how he met his spouse or whether he has been involved in significant public relationships.

Career

Ananda Krishnan’s career began in the oil trading business, where he laid the groundwork for his future as a tycoon. One of his early successes was founding MAI Holdings, instrumental in Malaysia’s booming oil sector.

His most significant breakthrough, however, came when he shifted his focus to the telecommunications and media industries. 1996 he founded Maxis Communications, quickly becoming Malaysia’s leading mobile telecommunications company.

This venture was followed by Astro, a direct-broadcast satellite television company that reached millions of households across Southeast Asia. Krishnan’s business interests extend beyond media and telecom, as he has also entered the satellite industry with MEASAT, the country’s premier satellite operator.

His investments in other sectors, including oil services and property development, have further diversified his portfolio. Despite his vast empire, Krishnan is known for his low-profile management style. He avoids the spotlight while building one of the largest business empires in the region.

Net worth

Ananda Krishnan’s estimated net worth is $5.8 billion. His wealth primarily stems from his stakes in Maxis Communications and Astro and various other media, telecommunications, and oil services investments.

He is ranked among the wealthiest individuals in Malaysia and has been consistently featured on Forbes’ Billionaire List.

Controversy

Ananda Krishnan’s business dealings have been controversial. One of the most significant scandals he was linked to involved the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund.

Krishnan’s name surfaced with a bailout involving Maxis Communications and 1MDB, which drew public scrutiny. In 2012, it was reported that Krishnan had facilitated a deal to rescue 1MDB by arranging a $2 billion loan, which raised questions about his involvement in the fund’s financial mismanagement.

Additionally, Krishnan was embroiled in a legal dispute regarding Maxis’s ownership and control, and his dealings with Indian businessman C Sivasankaran led to a high-profile court case.

The controversy centred around allegations of conspiracy and bribery in obtaining control over Aircel, an Indian telecommunications company. The case highlighted the opaque nature of Krishnan’s business operations, and although he was not found guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, the controversy dented his public image.

Despite these challenges, Krishnan has managed to maintain his status as a respected business leader in Malaysia, largely because of his philanthropic efforts and strategic investments that have benefited the country’s economy. However, these controversies remain a significant part of his public profile, raising questions about the ethics of some of his business practices.

Social Media

• – Instagram: N/A
• – Twitter: N/A