The Godrej family is an Indian Gujarati Parsi family[1] that largely owns and manages Godrej Group — a conglomerate founded by Ardeshir Godrej and his brother, Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej in 1897. The family operates in various sectors, including real estate, consumer products, industrial engineering, appliances, furniture, security, and agricultural products. The family, led by Adi Godrej, alongside his brother, Nadir Godrej, and their cousin, Jamshyd Godrej, is among the richest in India, with an estimated net worth of billion as of 2023.[2]
The family's presence in business began in Bombay in 1897, when Ardeshir Godrej, after reading a newspaper article about rising citywide crime rates, began developing and selling locks, with the assistance of his brother Pirojsha.[3] Since Ardeshir Godrej died childless, Pirojsha Godrej's sons Burjor, Sohrab, and Naval succeeded him. Today, his grandsons Adi, Nadir, and Jamshyd manage the enterprise. The initial venture, Godrej Brothers, has since diversified across sectors and evolved into multiple companies under the umbrella of the Godrej Group, including Godrej Industries, Godrej Agrovet, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Interio, and the holding company Godrej & Boyce.
Among the family's most valuable assets is a 3,500-acre estate in Vikhroli, Mumbai,[4] the value of which is estimated at $12 billion if developed; in 2011, the family announced plans to develop three million square feet by 2017, through an internal joint venture composed of Godrej Industries and Godrej Properties.[5] For decades, the family has preserved some 1,750 acres of mangrove swamps within the estate,[6] leading to the 2012 inclusion of Adi Godrej and Jamshyd Godrej in Forbes magazine's list of the richest green billionaires.[7] On 18 June 2014, Godrej family bought the bungalow of Homi J. Bhabha, Mehrangir, for Rs. 372 Cr[8] through an auction initiated by the National Center for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.[9]
The family controls the Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, Soonabai Pirojsha Godrej Foundation and Godrej Memorial Trust.[10]
. B. K. Karanjia. B. K. Karanjia. Godrej: The builder also grows. 1997. Penguin Books. 9780670879243.