Born on July 29, 1956, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Sivasankaran began his business journey at an early age. While there is no publicly available information on his formal education, his business instincts and innovative mindset have made him a self-made entrepreneur.
Sivasankaran is known to maintain a private personal life. However, some reports suggest He was married to Girija Sivasankaran. He has five children (four sons and one daughter) and six grandchildren. His oldest son and family reside in Canada, while his third son and wife live in Australia.
In 1999, Sivasankaran founded Aircel, a mobile network operator that started operations in Tamil Nadu. Under his leadership, Aircel expanded its services across India, becoming one of the country's leading telecom brands.
Chinnakannan Sivasankaran, often referred to as C. Sivasankaran or "Siva," is a well-known Indian businessman and serial entrepreneur. He is best recognized as the founder of Aircel, a major player in India's telecom industry, and as the chairman of Siva Group, a conglomerate with investments in diverse sectors.
Despite facing financial challenges and legal hurdles, Sivasankaran remains a significant figure in India's business landscape. His entrepreneurial acumen has led him to establish successful ventures, including Sterling Computers and Dishnet DSL.
Sivasankaran acquired Sterling Computers in 1985, transforming it into a leading computer manufacturer in India. At a time when the IT industry was still in its infancy, Sterling Computers provided affordable personal computers, making technology accessible to a broader audience.
At his peak, Sivasankaran's net worth was estimated to be over $4 billion. However, his financial journey has seen dramatic ups and downs. He had to sell Aircel due to external pressures, as he revealed in a 2024 interview. He claimed that Aircel was sold for ₹3,400 crore, though a potential sale to AT&T could have been valued at $8 billion. Various legal issues and financial disputes have added to his business challenges.
In 2005, Maxis Communications (Malaysia) acquired a 74% stake in Aircel, with Sivasankaran retaining 26%. Over time, financial struggles led Aircel to file for bankruptcy in 2018.
Sivasankaran also founded Dishnet DSL, one of India's first DSL-based Internet service providers (ISPs). This venture played a crucial role in expanding broadband access across the country.
While exact figures regarding his current net worth are unavailable, his past ventures suggest immense financial success. However, business losses, legal cases, and debt restructuring have impacted his overall wealth.
The Siva Group, under his leadership, has expanded to encompass 33 companies globally, including ventures in shipping, wind energy, health food, and telecommunications.
Physical Status
Male
Personal Details
Married
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