Ananda Krishnan, Malaysian Media Mogul, Dies at 86

As a movie buff with a keen interest in the lives of influential figures, I find myself deeply saddened by the passing of Ananda Krishnan. This man, born into a middle-class family in Brickfields and educated at Harvard Business School, has left an indelible mark on the Malaysian landscape through his diverse business ventures and philanthropic initiatives.


86-year-old business magnate Ananda Krishnan, a prominent figure in Malaysian media, telecommunications, and oil industries, passed away as per reports from his respective companies on Thursday. The exact reason behind his demise remains undisclosed.

Krishnan established two significant Malaysian companies: Maxis Bhd, the country’s second-largest mobile operator, and Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, which leads in broadcasting and media.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m not just captivated by the silver screen but also the business world. One of my significant investments lies in Bumi Armada Bhd, an oil field services provider, which I hold through Objektif Bersatu and Usaha Tegas, a strategic investment firm.

This year, Forbes estimated his net worth to be around 5 billion dollars, placing him as the third wealthiest individual in the nation. He leaves behind two daughters and a son, who has gained considerable media focus for embracing Buddhism and relinquishing an enormous inheritance.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that our chairman, T Ananda Krishnan, has sadly passed away on November 28th. His passing was peaceful.

Strong Efforts noted: he’s been instrumental in our country’s development and the business sector, while his charitable acts have positively impacted numerous individuals. Please understand as we grieve, their preference for a private mourning period should be honored.

As a child growing up in Brickfields, I was part of a typical middle-class family. But my dreams were far from ordinary. After earning a business degree at Harvard, I dabbled in oil and gambling, striking it rich both times. My ambitions didn’t stop there; I ventured into media and telecoms, building an empire that spans across continents.

In 2017 and 2018, Krishnan made it onto EbMaster’s list of the 500 most influential figures in media, yet he was notorious for shunning personal spotlight and media attention despite his affluence and clout.

Additionally, he held ownership of Aircel – a former mobile service provider that previously supported the Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Chennai Super Kings, but has since filed for bankruptcy.

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2024-11-28 12:16