He’s No IIT Or IIM Graduate, Yet He’s Worth Rs 84,510 Crore — Meet The Self-Made Billionaire Who Became India’s Second Richest Gujarati After Gauta...

There’s

something about Gujarat—a quiet rhythm that moves through its cities, its people, and their endless appetite for enterprise. Here, ambition doesn’t announce itself; it simply breathes through generations. From modest family shops to global boardrooms, business feels almost inherited—not by blood, but by belief. And among those who’ve turned that belief into something extraordinary stands Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel, the man behind Zydus Lifesciences. Today, he’s worth Rs 84,510 crore. The Hurun India Rich List 2025 names him India’s second richest Gujarati, just after Gautam Adani. But numbers only tell a fraction of his story. The rest is built on study, patience, and the kind of discipline that outlasts luck.

Who is Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel? All About His Education

Pankaj Patel was born on March 16, 1953, in Gujarat—a time when dreams were smaller, but determination wasn’t. His early life wasn’t paved with privilege. Instead, it was lined with books, lab benches, and questions. He studied pharmacy at L.M. College of Pharmacy, Gujarat University, and later earned degrees in Science and Law from the University of Mumbai. Those years of study weren’t just about education—they were about forming a way of thinking. Precision, order, and persistence became his foundation.

Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel Career

When he joined what was then Cadila Healthcare, the company wasn’t a giant. It was local, modest, and rooted in routine. But under Patel’s watch, it slowly grew—not with sudden leaps, but steady steps. Cadila evolved into Zydus Lifesciences, now among India’s most respected pharmaceutical brands. And then came a defining moment. During the pandemic, when the world was holding its breath, Zydus developed ZyCoV-D, India’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. It wasn’t just a scientific triumph; it was a statement—that innovation doesn’t always need foreign validation.

Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel: Family, Legacy, And The Long Game

Behind Patel’s calm exterior is a man who values balance—in business, in life, and in legacy. He’s married to Priti Patel, and together they’ve raised two children who’ve inherited his quiet drive. Their son, Dr. Sharvil Patel, is now the Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences. His leadership has taken the company deeper into biologics, complex generics, and new therapies. Their daughter, Shivani, shares the same grounding—that work is only worthwhile when it leaves something lasting. What’s rare in this family is the absence of noise. No dramatic boardroom battles, no headlines chasing attention. Just consistency. A kind of grace that feels out of place in today’s age of speed.

Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel: A Leader Who Measures Success Differently

In 2003, Pankaj Patel was named Best Pharma Man of the Year. That recognition sits quietly among many others. But what he values more is time—time spent on people, on learning, on purpose. He believes that growth without goodness isn’t growth at all. Over the years, he’s supported causes in education and healthcare, often away from cameras. His idea of success is simple: when progress lifts more than profits.

Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel: A Home That Speaks His Language

Patel’s residence in Ahmedabad mirrors who he is—thoughtful, uncluttered, and deeply Indian at heart. The house spans about 7,000 square feet, designed with both modern architecture and Vaastu principles in mind. At its centre is a courtyard with a Champa tree. When it blooms, the air fills with that soft, nostalgic fragrance—the kind that feels like home. Light moves through the space differently throughout the day. Nothing feels extravagant; everything feels earned. Location: Ahmedabad Style: Minimal, balanced, and rooted Signature Detail: Courtyard with a Champa tree Mood: Quiet confidence, gentle warmth

Gujarat’s Enduring Spirit

What makes Patel’s story remarkable isn’t just the money or milestones. It’s his pace. In an age that glorifies hustle, he chose steadiness. In a world obsessed with scale, he chose substance. Through Zydus Lifesciences, he built not just a company, but trust — in Indian science, in local expertise, in persistence itself. His story doesn’t shout; it endures. And perhaps that’s the truest reflection of Gujarat’s entrepreneurial soul — calm, consistent, and quietly unstoppable.