Malaysian Billionaire Ananda Krishnan Dies at 86

Malaysian billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, founder of major companies such as Maxis and Astro, has passed away peacefully at the age of 86, as confirmed by his investment firm Usaha Tegas. Known for his significant contributions to Malaysia’s corporate landscape and philanthropy, Ananda was the third richest person in the country with a net worth of US$5.1 billion as of April 2024. He was a Harvard Business School alumnus and became prominent during Malaysia's economic boom in the 1980s and 1990s, closely associated with former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Despite his wealth, he led a private life, shunning media attention, and his family has requested privacy during their mourning. Ananda's legacy includes not only his business ventures but also substantial donations towards education and healthcare initiatives. His passing is viewed as a significant loss to the nation, reflecting on the lasting impact he made in both business and philanthropy.