Net Worth: $230 million Known around the world as a Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev is a political activist in India, famous for providing medicines and agricultural products around the immense country. He teaches a healthy lifestyle to millions, inside and outside of India, and is said to have a net worth of around $230 million. He is also the founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Patanjali Ayurved, two of India’s fastest-growing companies.
But this well-respected man is not without his controversies. His medicinal products have been reported to contain animal bones, or even human bones! In addition, many have lodged complaints against him for controversial statements.
Mark Driscoll
Net Worth: $2.5 million Born in North Dakota in 1970, Mark Driscoll founded the incredibly popular Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, which at one time boasted fourteen thousand members in five states and fifteen locations. He's also founded or co-founded numerous religious organizations, such as The Gospel Coalition, which seeks to educate the next generation of christian leaders.
However, in 2014, Driscoll faced criticism from Mars Hill Church staffers and congregants due to perceived abusive behavior. He resigned in October of that year, and went on to found The Trinity Church in 2016. He currently has a net worth of $2.5 million.
Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji Maharaj
Net Worth: $6 million Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji Maharaj (who we'll refer to as Avdhoot from here on out) is a spiritual leader in India popular for sharing ancient stories, and is the founder and leader of ShivYog, a non-profit organization that offers meditation programs. He's also received various honors from communities for his social activism and work at community development.
Avdhoot's net worth is around forty crore INR, or about $6 million. Avdhoot is a self-realized master, and is continually engaged in spiritual and social activities on his mission to improve the spiritual health and welfare of humanity and the common man.
Acharya Balkrishna
Net Worth: $1.4 billion Known to be a close friend and associate of Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna is the chief editor of Yog Sandesh magazine, and apparently owns around thirty-four companies in India, with a combined annual turnover of over thirty-seven million dollars, and is reported to have a net worth somewhere around $1.4 billion!
He owns 98.6% of Patanjali Ayurved, which he started with Baba Ramdev, and is the managing director. He is a practitioner and teacher of Ayurveda, a historic medicinal practice that was said to be handed down from Gods and sages to human physicians, and can be traced to 6,000 B.C.
Mata Amritanandamayi
Net Worth: $230 million A teacher and Hindu spiritual leader in India, Mata Amritanandamayi is seen as almost a saint by her followers. Her nickname is “The Hugging Saint,” and has, reportedly, hugged over thirty million people! Based in Kerala, a region in the southwestern coast of India, this guru is renowned for embracing people in order to comfort them. She is well-respected for her humanitarian activities.
Mata reportedly has a net worth of $230 million, thanks to a network of Amrita schools – colleges – and she also runs the Amritanandamayi Trust, which takes contributions from Indian and foreign followers, which helps to support the colleges.