Vivek Chaand Sehgal: From a Family of Jewellers to Australia’s Richest Indian

Vivek Chaand Sehgal is widely recognised as one of the most successful Indian-born entrepreneurs in Australia and the co-founder and chairman of the global automotive manufacturing giant, the Motherson Group.

Born on September 28, 1956, in New Delhi, Sehgal grew up in a family with a long tradition in the jewellery business. He attended Birla Public School in Pilani, Rajasthan, before graduating from the University of Delhi.

His journey into business, however, began away from the automotive industry. Sehgal initially entered the silver trading business, where he made relatively modest profits. In 1975, he took a major step that would ultimately transform his life and the global automotive industry, establishing Motherson alongside his late mother, Shrimati Swaran Lata Sehgal.

The early years were not without challenges. Difficulties in the silver market prompted Sehgal to explore new opportunities, eventually leading him into manufacturing. He began producing components for the automotive industry, laying the foundations for what would become the Samvardhana Motherson Group.

Over the decades, the company expanded dramatically, evolving from a small Indian enterprise into one of the world's leading suppliers to the automotive industry. Today, the Motherson Group has a significant international presence and supplies components and systems to major automotive manufacturers around the world.

Sehgal's entrepreneurial journey has also brought him considerable personal success. His wealth has made him one of the richest Indians living in Australia, with his net worth estimated at approximately A$8.05 billion as of May 2025.

Beyond his financial achievements, Sehgal has received recognition for his contribution to entrepreneurship and business. In 2016, he was honoured with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, acknowledging his leadership and remarkable contribution to the business sector.

What makes Sehgal's story particularly notable is the transformation behind his success. From growing up in a family of jewellers and starting out in silver trading to building a multinational automotive empire, his career reflects the importance of adaptability, persistence and long-term vision.

Vivek Chaand Sehgal's story is ultimately one of turning setbacks into opportunities. What began as a modest family business more than five decades ago has grown into a global enterprise, while Sehgal himself has emerged as a prominent figure in both Indian and Australian business circles.