Lakshmi Narayan Mittal is an Indian steel magnate who is the CEO and chairman of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaking company. Born on June 15, 1950 in Sadulpur, Rajasthan, India, Mittal was the son of a steel trader and grew up in a small village in the northern part of the country. Despite his humble beginnings, he would go on to become one of the wealthiest and most influential business leaders in the world.
Mittal began his career in the steel industry at a young age, working for his father's steel trading company in Indonesia. In 1976, he established his own company, Mittal Steel, which quickly grew to become one of the leading steel producers in the world. Under his leadership, the company expanded its operations to countries around the globe, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa.
In 2006, Mittal made headlines when he completed the largest ever acquisition in the steel industry, merging his company with Arcelor, a European steel company, to form ArcelorMittal. The combined company became the world's largest steel producer, with operations in more than 60 countries.
Mittal has been recognized for his business acumen and philanthropic efforts. In 2004, he was named "Business Person of the Year" by Forbes Magazine and was ranked as the fifth richest person in the world. He has also received numerous awards for his charitable work, including the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship.
In addition to his work in the steel industry, Mittal has also served on the board of directors for a number of prominent organizations, including the World Steel Association and the International Cricket Council. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs and the Courtauld Institute of Art.
Despite his many successes, Mittal has faced criticism and controversy throughout his career. In 2002, he was accused of bribing officials in Romania to secure a steel mill for his company. He was also criticized for his role in the 2002 closure of a steel plant in the United Kingdom, which resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs.
Despite these challenges, Mittal has remained one of the most successful and influential figures in the steel industry. His dedication to innovation and excellence has made him a role model for aspiring business leaders around the world.
