Anand Mahindra “Jab We Met” Moment: A $4 Billion Love Story

New Delhi, February 6, 2026: In a world where business headlines are often dominated by mergers, acquisitions, and net worth, the love story of Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, offers a refreshing glimpse into the man behind the empire. Long before he was a billionaire with a $4.1 billion fortune, Anand Mahindra was just a student at Harvard University with a passion for filmmaking—and a heart ready to be captured.

The Meeting: Lights, Camera, Connection

The story dates back to the early 1980s. Anand, then a student of film and architecture at Harvard, traveled to Indore to work on a student film project. It was during this trip that he encountered Anuradha, a vibrant 17-year-old psychology student from Mumbai’s Sophia College.

For Anand, it was a classic “Jab We Met” moment. The connection was so instantaneous and profound that the future tycoon made a decision that would stun any academic advisor: he took a semester off from his studies at Harvard just to spend more time with her. This bold leap of faith laid the foundation for a partnership that has lasted nearly four decades.

A Proposal with a Heritage Touch

The romance was not just a passing college crush. Demonstrating the same decisive nature that would later define his business career, Anand proposed to Anuradha with a deeply personal heirloom—a ring that belonged to his grandmother.

The couple tied the knot on June 17, 1985. Following their wedding, they moved to the United States together, where Anuradha pursued a degree in communication at Boston University while Anand completed his MBA at Harvard Business School.

A Power Couple in Their Own Right

While Anand Mahindra is a global face of Indian industry, Anuradha Mahindra has carved out her own formidable identity. Eschewing the family business, she followed her passion for media and journalism. She is the founder of the luxury lifestyle magazine Verve and the co-founder of Man’s World. Later, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone India.

Despite their high-profile status, the couple is known for maintaining a private and grounded life. They have two daughters, Divya and Aalika, and are frequently cited as a symbol of stability and mutual respect in the public eye.

More Than Just Wealth

Today, as Anand Mahindra continues to lead a conglomerate spanning over 100 countries, he remains vocal about the fact that wealth was never his primary goal. His “true” success, as his story suggests, was found in a chance encounter in Indore.

Whether it’s his witty responses on social media or his philanthropic efforts through the Nanhi Kali project, Mahindra’s personal philosophy seems deeply rooted in the support and partnership he found as a student filmmaker. It’s a reminder that even for the world’s most powerful leaders, the most significant “deals” are often those made by the heart.