Business Tycoon Vijay Mallya

Business Tycoon Vijay MallyaUpdate: According to the Forbes’ 2009 list of the world’s  billionaires, Mallya dropped off the list with an estimated loss of $ 900 million.

Indian Billionaire and Liquor Tycoon , Vijay Mallya has always been known for his charismatic personality,flamboyanceand lavish lifestyle.The stylish business tycoon is known forsporting diamond ear studs.Mallya does not think twicebefore flaunting his wealth.Mallya owns yachts,private jets,a customized boeing 727,around 250 vintage cars and a stud farm with 200 horses.Mallya’s Indian Empress is a Rs 450 crore, 311 feet yacht. Kalizma is a 165 feet yacht, this was owned by actor Richard Burton at one time.

Vijay Mallya is the Chairman of the UB Group and according to Forbes 2008, his net worth is US $ 1.2 billion.United Breweries is the second largest sprits group in the world.We can recall that The UB Group acquired Whyte and Mackay for £ 595 million in 2007.The UB group has a market capitalization of around US$ 12 billion.

Vijay Mallya was born on December 18 ,year 1955.He studied at La Martiniere School in Kolkata.Mallya went to St Xavier’s college, University of Calcutta for his Bachelor’s Degree.Hestarted working while he was in college.He worked for his company for Rs 400 per month.Later,Mallya went to the USand worked for American Hoechst Corporation.

Vijay Mallya became the Chairman of the UB Group at age 28 in the year 1983, after his father Vittal Mallya passed away. Since that time he has led the group and turned it into a multi billion dollar business.Today the company has annual sales of more than US$ 4 billion.Vijay Mallya holds an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration,conferred by University of California,Irvine. Mr. Mallya likes to take on new challenges and live life to the fullest.

Vijay Mallya entered into the aviation sector when he launched Kingfisher Airlines in 2005. In Just about 3 years Kingfisher has become one of the leading Airlines in India.Mallya owns46 per cent stake in low cost airline Air Deccan.His company appointed accenture to look at the possibility of integrating the operations of Kingfisher and Air Deccan.Accenture recommended the merger of the two Airlines.With this merger Kingfisher will be able to fly on international routes since Air Deccan becomes eligible to fly abroad this year.Kingfisher plans to start international operations by August 2008.

Kingfisher gives competition to Naresh Goyal’s Jet Airways.Naresh Goyal and Vijay Mallya were in the Forbes’ battling billionaires list since both of them have ambitious plans for their Airlines.Billionaire Naresh Goyal has a net worth of $1.4 Billion.

Vijay Mallya is the owner of The Bangalore Royal Challengers Team of the IPL. Mallya paid Rs 464.3 crore for the team.The team is led by Rahul Dravid and has Players such as Zaheer Khan,Anil Kumble,Praveen Kumar,Mark Boucher,Virat Kohli and Jacques Kallis.Mallya and Dutch Businessman Michiel Mol are the owners of a Formula One Team , Force India.Force India was earlier called spyker.They bought the team for 88 million euros.