Who Is Anita Goyal? Wiki, Age, Kids, Family & Facts About Naresh Goyal’s Wife
Anita Goyal is an award-winning philanthropist, author, and community champion, celebrated for her services to diversity and female empowerment. She is also the wife of Naresh Goyal, the founder and former chairman of Jet Airways, one of India’s largest and most successful airlines until its collapse in 2019.
Early Life and Education
Anita was born in India in the early 1950s (her exact date of birth is not publicly known). She graduated from Delhi University with a degree in commerce and later pursued a diploma in marketing management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of London.
Anita Goyal Wiki/Bio
| Name | Anita Goyal |
| Date of Birth | Not Known |
| Age | 68-71 years old (estimate) |
| Place of Birth | UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Caste | Punjabi Khatri |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Profession | Philanthropist, Author, Director |
| Spouse | Naresh Goyal |
| Children | Nivaan Goyal, Namrata Goyal |
| Awards | MBE, Commandeur of the Order of Leopold II, Asian Women of Achievement Award, British Indian Award, Women Economic Forum Award, NRI Achievers Award, Global Peace Award |
| anitagoyal | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career and Achievements
Goyal started her career as a marketing analyst at Jet Airways in 1993, shortly after the airline was founded by her husband Naresh Goyal. She rose to the position of director of the airline and was instrumental in shaping its growth and expansion. She was also involved in various social and charitable initiatives of the airline, such as Jet Viva, Jet Foundation, and Jet Privilege.
Anita is also a renowned philanthropist and educationist, who has dedicated her life to empowering people and communities through various projects and organizations. She is the founder and chairperson of the Hemraj Goyal Foundation, a UK-based charity that supports causes such as education, health, women empowerment, and social justice. She is also the founder and CEO of Enrichment Experiences in Education, a company that provides personal development and life skills training to students and teachers in India and the UK.
Goyal is the author of several books, including Voices from Punjab, a collection of stories and poems that celebrate the culture and heritage of Punjab, and Ultimate You, a guide to living with passion and purpose. She is also a speaker and mentor, who has shared her insights and experiences at various platforms and events, such as TEDx, Women Economic Forum, and Asian Achievers Awards.
Anita has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to society and humanity. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2021 for her services to diversity and female empowerment. She is also the vice president of Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity, and a patron of Binti International, a charity that works to end menstrual stigma and provide sanitary products to girls and women in need. She is also an ambassador of the Alzheimer’s Society and a trustee of the Hallmark Care Homes Foundation.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 4″. In Meters: 1.62 m. In Centimetres: 162 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 50-55 kg. In Pounds: 110-121 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
Parents and Siblings
Anita Goyal was born in the UK to Indian parents, who migrated from Punjab in the 1960s. She has not revealed much information about her parents and siblings, except that they were a close-knit family, with a strong sense of values and culture. She grew up in London, where she attended a local school and excelled in academics and extracurricular activities.
Nationality, Caste, and Religion
Anita holds British nationality, as she was born and brought up in the UK. She belongs to the Punjabi Khatri caste, which is a sub-group of the Kshatriya varna in the Hindu caste system. She follows Hinduism as her religion and is a follower of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation. She is also active in various interfaith and multicultural activities and promotes harmony and tolerance among different communities.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Goyal’s net worth and income sources are not publicly disclosed, but it can be assumed that she is a wealthy woman, as she is the wife of Naresh Goyal, who was once one of the richest businessmen in India.
Naresh Goyal had a net worth of $1.9 billion in 2005, according to Forbes magazine, but his fortune declined significantly after Jet Airways faced a severe financial crisis in 2019, and he had to resign from the board and reduce his stake in the company. He also faced various legal troubles, such as money laundering, bank fraud, and tax evasion, and his assets were seized by the Enforcement Directorate.
Naresh Goyal’s Fraud Charges
Naresh Goyal, the founder and former chairman of Jet Airways, has made a desperate appeal to the court to let him die in jail, as he faces charges of fraud and money laundering, while his wife is battling cancer in the last stage.
Goyal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2023 for allegedly defrauding Canara Bank of Rs 538 crore, is currently lodged at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai. He has been denied bail and is awaiting trial.
According to his lawyer, Goyal is suffering from multiple ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, and kidney stones. He has also been missing his wife Anita, who is bedridden and undergoing chemotherapy at their Mumbai residence. His only daughter is also reportedly unwell and unable to take care of her mother.
Goyal’s lawyer told the court that his client had “lost every hope of life and it would be better if he died in jail than living in such a situation”. He requested the court to allow Goyal to meet his wife on humanitarian grounds and to consult his private doctors for his health issues.
The court, on Tuesday, permitted Goyal to visit his wife on January 13 and to see his doctors between January 10 and 12. The court said that there was no dispute about the fact that Goyal was turning 75 years old and had multiple illnesses. The court also noted that Goyal and his wife had become “orphans” in their situation and that the feeling of meeting his ailing wife once was “quite natural”. The court added that the ED could monitor the process to ensure that no activity would be detrimental to the case.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Anita Goyal married Naresh Goyal in 1988, after meeting him through a mutual friend. They have two children, Nivaan and Namrata, who are both involved in the family business and philanthropy. Anita and Naresh Goyal are known for their lavish lifestyle and high-profile social circle, which includes celebrities, politicians, and business tycoons.
However, their fortune and fame took a dramatic turn in 2019, when Jet Airways, the airline that they had built and nurtured for over 25 years, went bankrupt and ceased operations. The airline faced a severe financial crisis due to rising fuel costs, intense competition, and mismanagement.
Naresh Goyal stepped down as the chairman of the airline in March 2019, amid pressure from creditors and regulators. He was also accused of money laundering and fraud by various agencies and banks and was detained and questioned by the Enforcement Directorate several times. He was arrested in September 2023 and is currently in judicial custody.
Anita has stood by her husband throughout the ordeal and has maintained her dignity and grace. She has also continued her philanthropic and educational work, despite the challenges and hardships. She is an inspiration to many people, especially women, who admire her resilience and compassion.
Controversies and Challenges
Anita and Naresh Goyal have faced several controversies and challenges in their personal and professional lives. In 2000, they were accused by the Indian intelligence agencies of having links with the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who allegedly funded Jet Airways. However, this allegation was later dismissed by the government, and they were given security clearance.
In 2019, Jet Airways faced a severe financial crisis, due to rising fuel costs, intense competition, and debt obligations. The airline was unable to pay its employees, suppliers, and creditors, and had to ground most of its fleet. The airline also defaulted on its loan repayments and was taken over by a consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India. Anita and Naresh Goyal resigned from the board of Jet Airways and also agreed to reduce their stake in the company from 51% to 25%.
In 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained and questioned Naresh Goyal for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED alleged that Naresh Goyal and his family had diverted funds from Jet Airways to various offshore entities, and had also acquired properties abroad through illegal means. The ED also raided their residences and offices in Delhi and Mumbai and seized their documents and assets.
In 2023, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against Naresh Goyal, Anita, and others for alleged bank fraud of Rs. 538 crore. The CBI alleged that they had cheated Canara Bank by obtaining loans based on false and fabricated documents, and had also siphoned off the funds for personal use. The ED also arrested Naresh Goyal in September 2023 and seized properties worth Rs. 538 crore belonging to him and his family in November 2023.
