‘Darkest day of my life’: Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal mourns death of son Agnivesh

“No words can describe the pain of a parent who must bid goodbye to his child. A son is not meant to leave before his father. This loss has shattered us in ways we are still trying to comprehend. I still remember the day Agni was born in Patna on 3 June, 1976. From a middle-class Bihari family, he grew into a man of strength, compassion, and purpose. The light of his mother’s life, a protective brother, a loyal friend, and a gentle soul who touched everyone he met,” he said, reminiscing about Agnivesh’s childhood.

Agnivesh was a sportsman, musician, and leader who, he said, had set up Fujeirah Gold and went on to become the Chairman of Hindustan Zinc.

Agarwal remembered him as a simple, warm, and deeply human individual who touched everyone he met.

“Agnivesh was many things – a sportsman, a musician, a leader. He studied at Mayo College, Ajmer, went on to set up one of the finest companies Fujeirah Gold, became Chairman of Hindustan Zinc, and earned the respect of colleagues and friends alike. Yet, beyond all titles and achievements, he remained simple, warm, and deeply human. To me, he was not just my son. He was my friend. My pride. My world,” he said.

Today is the darkest day of my life.

My beloved son, Agnivesh, left us far too soon. He was just 49 years old, healthy, full of life, and dreams. Following a skiing accident in the US, he was recovering well in Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. We believed the worst was behind us.… pic.twitter.com/hDQEDNI262

— Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) January 7, 2026

Anil Agarwal remembers Agnivesh’s vision for a self-reliant India

Remembering Agnivesh’s vision for a self-reliant India, Agarwal said that he and his son shared a dream to ensure no child sleeps hungry, every woman is self-reliant, and every young Indian has meaningful work.

“We shared a dream to ensure that no child sleeps hungry, no child is denied education, every woman stands on her own feet, and every young Indian has meaningful work. I had promised Agni that more than 75% of what we earn would be given back to society,” he said.

Agarwal further renewed the promise, he made to his son, of giving back to society and living a simple life.

Agnivesh was being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York following the skiing accident, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at the age of 49.