Vijay Mallya

Vijay Mallya (born 18 December 1955) is an Indian businessman and politician. The son of another businessman Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the UB Group, an Indian conglomerate with interests in beverage alcohol, aviation infrastructure, real estate and fertilizer among others. Mallya is also a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India.

He also co-owns the Formula One team Sahara Force India. His companies own Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bangalore, the I-League teams Mohun Bagan A.C. and East Bengal F.C. He is also a member of the World Motor Sport Council representing India in the FIA.

Mallya is the Chairman of public companies both in India and the US. He has been the Chairman of Sanofi India (previously Hoechst AG and Aventis) as well as the Chairman of Bayer CropScience in India for over 20 years, in addition to being the Chairman of several other companies.

Personal life

Vijay Mallya is the son of Vittal Mallya, a prominent businessman from Bantwal, Mangalore, he hails from a konkani-speaking Gaud Saraswat Brahmins family. His wife is Lalitha Ramaiah. He was educated at La Martiniere Calcutta, where he was appointed House Captain of Hastings house in his final year, and at St. Xavier's College, Calcutta, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (with honours) in 1970 . While in college, Mallya interned in his family's businesses. After graduating, he interned at the American part of Hoechst AG in the United States.