Malaysian Billionaire and Media Mogul Ananda Krishnan Dies at 86

The founder of Maxis, Astro, and Measat, Krishnan was a pivotal figure in Malaysia's corporate and media landscape.

Ananda Krishnan, one of Malaysia's wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $5.1 billion, passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his investment firm Usaha Tegas.
He was instrumental in founding Maxis, Malaysia’s second-largest mobile operator, and Astro, a dominant broadcasting and media company serving over 66% of Malaysian households.
Krishnan played a key role in developing Malaysia's iconic Petronas Twin Towers and was closely associated with the country's economic boom in the 1980s and 1990s.
His diverse business interests spanned telecommunications, media, oil, and entertainment, including stakes in Measat, Bumi Armada, and Celestial Pictures.
Known for his low-profile demeanor, Krishnan is survived by two daughters and a son, who has chosen a life as a Buddhist monk.