Shiv Ratan Agarwal’s life story is a remarkable example of grit, vision, and determination. Born in May 1951 in Bikaner, Rajasthan, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in the snack business. His grandfather, Gangabhisan “Haldiram” Bhujiawala, was a pioneer in Indian snacks, and his father, Moolchand Agarwal, carried forward the legacy. Shiv Ratan, however, chose to carve his own path.
On 23 April 2026, Agarwal passed away in Chennai after suffering a heart attack. He was in the city for his wife’s medical treatment, as she had recently undergone a heart bypass surgery. His death marked the end of an era in India’s food industry, but his legacy continues through Bikaji Foods International, a brand he built from scratch.
Shiv Ratan Agarwal Age, Death, Wife, Family, Wiki
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shiv Ratan Agarwal |
| Popularly Known As | Founder of Bikaji Foods International |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Birth Year | May 1951 |
| Birthplace | Bikaner, Rajasthan, India |
| Family Background | Grandson of Gangabhisan “Haldiram” Bhujiawala; Father – Moolchand Agarwal |
| Education | Studied up to Class 8 |
| Major Contribution | Founded Bikaji Foods International (1993); modernized Indian snack industry |
| Initial Venture | Shivdeep Food Products (1987) |
| Global Expansion | Entered Australia and UAE markets in 2006; first retail store in Mumbai (2008) |
| Peak Popularity | Bikaji listed on stock exchange in 2022; Market cap ₹13,103 crore by Dec 2023 |
| Forbes Recognition | Featured in Forbes World’s Billionaires List (2024) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated ₹15,279 crore |
| Personal Life | Married; Son – Deepak Agarwal; Daughter-in-law – Shweta Agarwal; Grandson |
| Death | 23 April 2026, Chennai, India |
| Age at Death | 75 years |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack |
| Legacy | Modernized bhujia-making; built Bikaji into a global brand |
| Nickname | Anna |
| In Popular Culture | Known for bringing Bikaneri Bhujia to global stage |
Early Life and Family Background
Shiv Ratan was born in May 1951 into a business family in Bikaner. His grandfather, Haldiram, had already established a strong reputation in the snack industry. Shiv Ratan inherited this entrepreneurial spirit but wanted to create something of his own.
He had three brothers—Shiv Kishan Agarwal, Manohar Lal Agarwal, and Madhusudan Agarwal—all of whom were involved in business. Despite belonging to a family with strong roots in snack-making, Shiv Ratan decided to branch out independently in the late 1980s.
Childhood and Education
Unlike many business leaders, Shiv Agarwal did not pursue higher education. He studied only up to Class 8 before joining the family business. His early years were spent learning the art of bhujia-making under his grandfather’s guidance.
This limited formal education never held him back. Instead, it gave him practical exposure to the business world at a young age. His hands-on experience in snack-making became the foundation for his later success.
Breaking Away from Haldiram
In the late 1980s, Shiv Ratan Agarwal grew dissatisfied with the way the family business was being managed. He wanted to innovate and expand beyond traditional methods. In 1987, he launched Shivdeep Food Products, named after himself and his son Deepak.
This bold move marked the beginning of his independent journey. Initially, the company focused on Bikaneri Bhujia, a snack that would later become synonymous with Bikaji. His decision to step away from Haldiram was risky, but it laid the foundation for his empire.
Founding Bikaji Foods International
By 1993, Shiv Ratan rebranded his company as Bikaji Foods International. The name was inspired by Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner, with “Ji” added as a mark of respect. This gave the brand a strong regional identity while appealing to a wider audience.
The early years were challenging. Large-scale production was difficult, and Agarwal faced hurdles in scaling up. To overcome these, he travelled abroad to learn modern snack manufacturing technologies and imported advanced machinery to Bikaner.
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Innovations and Global Expansion
Shiv Ratan was not satisfied with just making bhujia in the traditional way. He wanted to modernize the process and bring Indian snacks to the world. To achieve this, he travelled abroad and studied how food companies in other countries worked. He saw how machines could make production faster and more hygienic. He then imported advanced machinery to Bikaner, which helped him scale up Bikaji Foods.
This decision changed everything. By combining traditional recipes with modern technology, Bikaji was able to produce snacks in large quantities without losing the authentic taste. In 2006, Bikaji expanded to international markets like Australia and the UAE, proving that Indian snacks could appeal to global consumers. Later, under the name “Bikaji Food Junxon,” Bikaji built its first retail location in Mumbai in 2008.
Rise to Billionaire Status
The growth of Bikaji Foods was steady but strong. In 2022, the company was listed on the stock exchange, which gave it more visibility and credibility. Investors quickly saw the potential of the brand. By December 2023, Bikaji’s market capitalization had reached ₹13,103 crore, making it one of the leading snack companies in India.
Shiv Ratan Agarwal’s success was recognized globally. In 2024, Forbes included him in its World’s Billionaires List, with a net worth of around ₹10,830 crore. By early 2026, his wealth had grown further, with estimates placing it at ₹15,279 crore.
Personal Life and Family
Behind the success story was a man deeply connected to his family. Shiv Ratan was married and had a son, Deepak Agarwal, who is now actively involved in running Bikaji Foods. His daughter-in-law, Shweta Agarwal, and grandson are also part of the family legacy.
Family played an important role in his life. Even during his final days, he was in Chennai with his wife, who had recently undergone a heart bypass surgery. His devotion to family was evident in the way he balanced business with personal responsibilities. His wife stood by him throughout his journey, and his son continues to carry forward his vision.
Death and Legacy
On 23 April 2026, Shiv Agarwal passed away in Chennai after suffering a heart attack. His death was a shock to the business community and to millions of consumers who had grown up eating Bikaji snacks. The company informed the stock exchanges about his passing, and tributes poured in from across the country.
His legacy is not just about building a billion-dollar company. It is about modernizing the Indian snack industry, creating jobs, and proving that traditional Indian food could compete on the global stage. Today, Bikaji Foods is a household name, and much of that credit goes to Shiv Agarwal’s vision and courage.
Interesting Facts About Shiv Ratan Agarwal
- Shiv was fondly called “Anna” by many.
- He studied only up to Class 8 but built a global empire.
- The name “Bikaji” was inspired by Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner.
- He was the grandson of Haldiram, but chose to build his own brand.
- He expanded Bikaji to countries like Australia and the UAE.
- Shiv’s company was valued at more than ₹15,000 crore by 2026.
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