'Darkest day of my life': Mining mogul Anil Agarwal's son Agnivesh dies at 49

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal on Wednesday announced the passing of his son Agnivesh, describing it as “the darkest day of my life”. Agnivesh, 49, had been recovering at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, following a skiing accident, but suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

“No words can describe the pain of a parent who must bid goodbye to his child,” Agarwal wrote. “A son is not meant to leave before his father. This loss has shattered us in ways we are still trying to comprehend.”

Born on June 3, 1976

in Patna, Agnivesh grew up in a middle-class Bihari family, studied at Mayo College, Ajmer, and went on to establish Fujeirah Gold and later become Chairman of Hindustan Zinc. Agarwal said his son remained “simple, warm and deeply human” despite his achievements.

Today is the darkest day of my life.

My beloved son, Agnivesh, left us far too soon. He was just 49 years old, healthy, full of life, and dreams. Following a skiing accident in the US, he was recovering well in Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. We believed the worst was behind us.… pic.twitter.com/hDQEDNI262

— Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) January 7, 2026

“To me, he was not just my son. He was my friend. My pride. My world,” Agarwal wrote. He added that Agnivesh believed in a self-reliant India and shared a dream of giving back to society.

“I had promised Agni that more than 75% of what we earn would be given back. Today, I renew that promise and resolve to live an even simpler life,” he said.

Agarwal concluded: “Beta, you will live on in our hearts, in our work, and in every life you touched. I will try carrying your light forward.”