PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Vijay Vittal Mallya
Nickname: The King of “Good Times”
Profession(s): Businessman, Politician
Date of Birth: 18 December 1955 (Sunday)
Age (as of 2024): 69 Years
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Kolkata, West Bengal
Religion: Hinduism
Age: 69 Years
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EDUCATION
School: La Martinière Calcutta (LMC), Kolkata, West Bengal
College: St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, West Bengal
Educational Qualifications: B.Com. (Hons.)
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters- 175 cm in meters- 1.75 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 9”
Eye Colour: Hazel Brown
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Family: Father – Vittal Mallya Mother – Lalitha Ramaiah (biological mother), Ritu Mallya (step-mother) Brother – N/A Sisters – N/A
Marital Status: Married
Affairs/Girlfriends: Pinky Lalwani, former Kingfisher Airlines employee
Wife: Sameera Tyabjee Mallya, former Air-hostess (m.1986-1987) Rekha Mallya (m.1993-present)
Children: Son – Siddharth Mallya (son from first wife) Daughters – Leanna Mallya, Tanya Mallya, Leila Mallya (step- daughter)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards/Honours: • Awarded the honorary degree of “Doctorate of Philosophy” in Business Administration, by the Southern California University for Professional Studies in 1997. • Awarded the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian award in France. • Honored with the title of “Global leader for tomorrow” by World Economic Forum. • Bestowed with the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award at The Asian Awards in 2010.
MONEY FACTOR
Car: Bentley
Net Worth (approx.): INR 615 Crore (as in 2014)
Car Collection: Ferrari 1965 California Spyder, Ensign MN08, Jaguar XJ220, Jaguar XJR15 Race car, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 550 Spyder, Maserati Quattroporte, Rolls Royce
House/Estate: • Kingfisher Villa worth INR 75 Crore in Goa • A lavish home worth $1.2 million in Sausalito, California • “Le Grand Jardin” on The Sainte-Marguerite Island (about half a mile off shore from the French Riviera town of Cannes) • Kunigal Stud Farm, Kunigal, Karnataka • A penthouse worth $2.4 million in Trump Plaza, New York, USA • Clifton Estate worth $8.4 million in Cape Town, South Africa • Owns 99.5% stake in the 25,000-acre game reserve named ‘Mabula Game Lodge’ near Johannesburg, South Africa • A “country home” in Hertfordshire, England • Keillour Castle, Perthshire, Scotland • A sea-facing bungalow on Napean Sea Road, South Mumbai • A house on the plush Sardar Patel Marg in New Delhi
OTHER INFORMATION
Political Journey: • Became a member of the Akhila Bharata Janata Dal in 2000. • Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2002 as an independent member from his home state of Karnataka. • In 2003, joined the Subramanian Swamy led Janata Party. • From 2003-2010, served as the National Working President of Janata Dal. • Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha for a second term in 2010. However, this time as a member of the BJP.
Hobbies: Watching F1 Car Race, Horse Breeding, Listening to vintage music
Colour: Red
Food: Kane Rava, (Kane fish in rava batter), Kori Gasi, Appams, Sannas, Mishti Doi, Crabs
Wine: Ferrari Carano
Fashion Brands: Armani, Valentino, Manoviraj Khosla, Roberto Cavalli
Jet Collection: Boeing 727, Airbus A319 ACJ, Gulfstream III, Hawker HS125
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Vijay Mallya, born into privilege, is the son of Vittal Mallya, a prominent figure in the liquor industry and the first Indian director of United Breweries Ltd. His father’s legacy as Chairman of the company led to the acquisition of numerous breweries and distilleries across India, setting the stage for Vijay’s later ventures. Following his education, Mallya gained practical experience as an intern in his family’s businesses and expanded his knowledge through an internship at Hoechst AG, a chemical company in the United States. This diverse background provided him with the foundational skills to step into significant roles in the family business upon his father’s untimely demise in 1983.
Assuming the mantle of Chairman of the United Breweries Group (UB Group), Mallya exhibited remarkable business acumen as he expanded the conglomerate significantly. Over a short period, he acquired more than 60 companies, driving an impressive 64% increase in annual turnover, which soared to a staggering US$11 billion in 1998-1999. Under his leadership, Kingfisher beer captured over 50% of the Indian market and made its mark globally, reaching over 50 countries. Additionally, Mallya’s flagship company, United Spirits Ltd, achieved a historic milestone by selling 100 million cases, positioning itself as the second-largest spirits company worldwide by volume. However, in 2015, a series of financial troubles forced him to resign as Chairman of United Spirits, with Indian courts blocking a $75 million settlement due to his alleged willful default on a massive loan of INR 9,000 Crores.
Mallya’s ambition led him to establish Kingfisher Airlines in 2003, which initially garnered acclaim for its high service standards. However, the airline’s subsequent acquisition of Air Deccan in 2007 marked a turning point in his career. Many experts regard this decision as one of his most significant missteps, triggering a downward spiral that resulted in immense financial losses, particularly from failed international operations. By 2009-10, Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated debts exceeding INR 7,000 crores, ultimately becoming a non-performing asset for banks that once supported its growth.
Despite his tumultuous business journey, Mallya is also known for his deeply entrenched religious beliefs. He diligently undertakes the Sabarimala pilgrimage each year and pays his respects at the Tirupati Temple whenever a new Kingfisher aircraft is commissioned. Mallya’s spiritual practices are matched by his noteworthy passion for collecting artifacts, including his impressive acquisitions of Tipu Sultan’s sword and Mahatma Gandhi’s belongings at significant auction prices. His lifestyle reflects luxury and taste, showcasing an extensive collection of yachts, including the magnificent “Indian Empress,” which boasts amenities such as a steam room, massage facilities, and a cinema hall. Additionally, Mallya is a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Bengali, Konkani, English, and French.
An ardent sports enthusiast, Mallya has invested heavily in various athletic ventures, holding a major stake in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League and owning two historic football clubs, East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan AC, in the Indian Football League. His interests extend to motorsports, as he co-owns the Formula One team Sahara Force India. Amidst the highs and lows of his career, Mallya continues to be a multifaceted figure, embodying the complexities of ambition, luxury, and the pursuit of excellence in both business and personal endeavors.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.