On June 10, 2025, Vijay Mallya, once called the "King of Good Times," made headlines again. He spoke in a four-hour podcast with Raj Shamani, sharing his side of the story after years of silence. This article tells the complete biography of Vijay Mallya in simple English. It covers his early life, business success, personal life, and the controversies that changed his life forever.
Early Life and Education
Vijay Mallya was born on December 18, 1955, in Kolkata, West Bengal. His father, Vittal Mallya, was a famous businessman. He owned the United Breweries Group, known for Kingfisher beer. Vijay grew up in a rich family. He studied at La Martinière Calcutta, a well-known school. Later, he joined St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata. In 1976, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree. Even as a young boy, Vijay was smart and ambitious. He wanted to prove himself in the business world.
After college, Vijay started working in his father’s company. His first job paid him only 400 rupees a month. It was a small start, but Vijay worked hard. He learned how to run a business. His father was strict, and Vijay had to earn his place. This early struggle shaped Vijay’s bold personality.
Vijay Mallya Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vijay Vittal Mallya |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Father | Vittal Mallya (Businessman, Chairman of United Breweries Group) |
| Education | - School: La Martinière Calcutta - College: St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata - Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (1976) |
| Early Career | - Started working in United Breweries Group - First salary: ₹400/month |
| Business Ventures | - United Breweries Group: Chairman since 1983 - Kingfisher Airlines: Launched 2005, shut 2012 - Royal Challengers Bangalore: Bought 2007 - Force India: Co-owned F1 team - Kingfisher Calendar: Launched, became famous |
| Major Achievements | - Made Kingfisher beer a top Indian brand - Built luxury image for Kingfisher Airlines - RCB won IPL in 2025 |
| Personal Life | - First Marriage: Sameera Tyabjee (1986), divorced - Son: Sidhartha Mallya (with Sameera) - Second Marriage: Rekha (1993), adopted her children Kabir and Laila - Daughters: Leena (with Rekha), Laila, Tanya - Current Partner: Lives with Pinky Lalwani in London |
| Properties | - Penthouse in Bengaluru’s Kingfisher Towers - Penthouse in Trump Plaza, New York ($2.4 million, 2010) - Three luxury condos in Trump Plaza |
| Net Worth (2022) | $1.2 billion (as per reports) |
| Controversies | - Kingfisher Airlines owed ₹9,000 crore to 17 Indian banks - Debt Recovery Tribunal claimed ₹6,203 crore with interest - Accused of fraud and money laundering - Declared “fugitive economic offender” by Indian government |
| Fleeing to London | - Left India in March 2016 - Passport revoked - Fighting extradition in UK courts - Lost bankruptcy appeal in April 2025 (owed £1 billion) |
| Current Life | - Lives in London with Pinky Lalwani and their dogs - Describes life as “semi-retirement” - Feels lonely, says old friends avoid him - Owns shares in United Breweries and United Spirits |
| Recent News (June 2025) | - Appeared in 4-hour podcast with Raj Shamani (20 million views) - Claimed he paid ₹14,131 crore to banks - Supported by Harsh Goenka, criticized by others - Comedian Shubham Gaur made a viral video about the podcast |
| Claims and Defense | - Says he is a victim of business failure, not a criminal - Wants to return to India for a fair trial - Believes media and government unfairly targeted him |
| Legacy | - Known as “King of Good Times” - Story of ambition, success, and dramatic fall - Controversial: seen as failed businessman or victim of system |
Building a Business Empire
In 1983, Vittal Mallya passed away. Vijay was only 28 years old. He took over as chairman of the United Breweries Group. It was a big responsibility. Under Vijay’s leadership, the company grew fast. Kingfisher beer became very popular in India. Vijay also started new businesses. He launched Kingfisher Airlines in 2005. The airline was known for its luxury and great service. People loved flying with Kingfisher.
Vijay didn’t stop there. He bought the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricket team in 2007 for $111 million. He also co-owned the Formula One team Force India. Vijay loved sports and glamour. He made RCB a famous team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2025, when RCB won the IPL, Vijay and his son Sidhartha celebrated the victory. Vijay was proud of his team’s success.
Vijay also created the Kingfisher Calendar. It featured models and became very famous. His businesses made him a celebrity. People called him the "King of Good Times" because of his rich and flashy lifestyle. He owned yachts, private jets, and big houses. His penthouse in Bengaluru’s Kingfisher Towers was his childhood home. It overlooked Cubbon Park and was worth crores.
Personal Life and Relationships
Vijay Mallya’s personal life was as colorful as his businesses. In 1986, he was on an Air India flight to the USA. There, he met Sameera Tyabjee, an air hostess. They fell in love quickly. Vijay proposed to her, and they got married soon after. They had a son named Sidhartha Mallya. But the marriage didn’t last long. Vijay and Sameera separated after a few years.
Later, Vijay reconnected with Rekha, his childhood crush. Rekha had two children, Kabir and Laila, from her earlier marriage. Vijay and Rekha got married in 1993. Vijay adopted Rekha’s children. He also had a daughter named Leena with Rekha. Vijay was a family man, but his busy life kept him in the spotlight. In recent years, Vijay has been living with Pinky Lalwani in London. They enjoy spending time with their dogs. Vijay’s son Sidhartha lives in London too. He has his own career in entertainment and modeling. Vijay’s daughters, Laila, Tanya, and Leena, are settled in different countries.
The Kingfisher Airlines Crisis
Vijay Mallya’s life changed when Kingfisher Airlines faced problems. The airline started losing money in 2008. Fuel prices were high, and competition was tough. Vijay tried to save the airline. He met then-Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with a plan to downsize. But the government didn’t help. By 2012, Kingfisher Airlines stopped flying. Many employees didn’t get their salaries. Vijay felt sorry and apologized to them in his 2025 podcast.
The airline’s failure led to huge debts. Vijay owed over ₹9,000 crore to 17 Indian banks. The Debt Recovery Tribunal said the total debt was ₹6,203 crore with interest. Vijay claimed he paid back ₹14,131 crore, more than what he owed. But the banks and government didn’t agree. They called him a "fugitive economic offender." Vijay was accused of fraud and money laundering. He said he was not a thief and wanted to clear his name.
Fleeing to London
In March 2016, Vijay left India for London. He said he told then-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley about his trip. But the Indian government revoked his passport. Vijay couldn’t return to India. He said he didn’t run away but stayed in London for valid reasons. The Indian government wanted to bring him back. They started extradition proceedings. Vijay has been fighting these cases in UK courts. In April 2025, he lost an appeal against a bankruptcy order in London. The court said he owed £1 billion to Indian banks.
Vijay claims he is a victim of business failure, not a criminal. In the podcast, he said, “Call me a fugitive, but I am not a chor.” He said he would return to India if promised a fair trial. But he believes India’s legal system is unfair. He also said the media made him a scapegoat. Vijay feels the government and banks treated him badly.
Life in London
Vijay Mallya now lives in London. His lifestyle has slowed down. He calls it a “semi-retirement” life. He owns a penthouse in New York’s Trump Plaza, bought for $2.4 million in 2010. He also has three luxury condos in the same building. His net worth was $1.2 billion in 2022, according to reports. Vijay still owns small shares in United Breweries and United Spirits.
In London, Vijay feels lonely. Many of his old friends and contacts avoid him. He spends time with Pinky Lalwani and their dogs. He stays busy with his interests but misses his old life. Vijay says fighting legal battles is costly and tiring. He wants to return to India but only if he gets a fair chance to prove his innocence.
Recent News and Public Reaction
In June 2025, Vijay’s podcast with Raj Shamani got 20 million views. He spoke about his childhood, businesses, and the Kingfisher crisis. He shared details about his Bengaluru penthouse and his love for RCB. Vijay said he picked Virat Kohli for RCB, which made him proud when the team won in 2025. The podcast sparked mixed reactions. Some people supported Vijay, believing he was wronged. Others said he must face justice for his debts.
Indian billionaire Harsh Goenka backed Vijay on social media. He said Vijay paid back more than he owed. Vijay thanked Goenka for his support. But many criticized Vijay. They said paying back money doesn’t erase his crimes. Comedian Shubham Gaur made a funny video about the podcast. He joked that people owe Vijay money instead. The video went viral, showing how Vijay’s story still grabs attention.
Vijay Mallya’s Legacy
Vijay Mallya’s life is like a movie. He rose from a young businessman to a billionaire. He built a huge empire with Kingfisher beer, airlines, and sports teams. His flashy lifestyle made him a star. But his fall was dramatic. The collapse of Kingfisher Airlines ruined his image. He went from being the "King of Good Times" to a fugitive.
Today, Vijay fights to clear his name. He says India’s business system is tough. He believes bureaucracy and politics hurt his businesses. Vijay wants to return to India, but only with a fair trial. His story teaches us about ambition, success, and failure. It shows how quickly life can change.
Vijay Mallya remains a controversial figure. Some see him as a failed businessman. Others see him as a victim of a harsh system. His podcast in June 2025 gave people a chance to hear his side. But the truth about Vijay Mallya is still debated. Will he ever return to India? Will he clear his name? Only time will tell.