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.
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.
Baba Ramdev
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.
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.
Ayedole Oritsejafor
Net Worth: $19 million Also known as Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Ayedole is an influential Nigerian pastor, having founded the Word of Life Bible Church. He became a born again Christian in 1972, and according to him he had a vision of himself preaching in a suit, and a voice saying: “this is what you are going to be doing for the rest of your life. Take my word to the world.”
He's been the national president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. He launched the first “Miracle crusade” from Africa to the world with evangelist Joe Martins. His reported net worth is $19 million.