Yusuf Hamied Net Worth

Yusuf Hamied has an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Yusuf Hamied profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $1.7 billion in 2018.

Yusuf Hamied is an Indian scientist and business leader best known for his long association with Cipla, the Mumbai-based generics drugmaker. The company was founded in 1935 by his father, Khwaja Abdul Hamied. After his father died in 1972, Yusuf Hamied and his brother Mustafa inherited the business. He later became a central figure at the company and is now its non-executive chairman.

His public profile grew as he challenged large drug companies by selling lower-cost generic medicines, including treatments for AIDS. He also founded the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association in 1961 and pushed for changes in Indian patent law that shaped the local drug industry. Beyond business, Cambridge University named a building after him, making him the first Indian to receive that honor. Forbes put his wealth at $2.4 billion in October 2026.

How Yusuf Hamied built his fortune

Hamied’s wealth comes from pharmaceuticals through Cipla, a major generic drug company based in Mumbai. The business started with his father in 1935, then passed to Hamied and his brother in 1972. Over time, Cipla became closely linked with lower-cost medicines, especially generic treatments aimed at wider access. Hamied’s role at the company, and his long leadership there, made Cipla the main source behind his fortune.

A big part of Hamied’s reputation came from taking on large pharmaceutical groups and pushing cheaper versions of important drugs. He became widely known for offering low-cost generic medicines for diseases such as AIDS. His work also included support for multi-drug combination pills and pediatric formulations, as well as bulk drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients in India. In 2013, he announced retirement plans after 52 years as managing director, but he remained closely tied to Cipla.

Forbes net worth timeline

Forbes has tracked Hamied’s fortune through several list updates. It estimated his net worth at $1.7 billion in 2018, then $1.3 billion in 2019. The figure later climbed to $1.9 billion in 2021 and $2.3 billion in 2022. It then moved down to $1.8 billion in 2023. Those changes followed his long-standing stake in a pharmaceutical business whose value can shift from year to year.

The estimate rose again to $2.9 billion in 2024 before easing to $2.8 billion in 2025 and $2.5 billion in 2026. Forbes' real-time billionaires tracker showed $2.4 billion in October 2026, which is also the current figure we track. Around this period, Cipla stayed in focus, including a 2023 shareholder meeting where Hamied described reports about a possible family stake sale as speculative.