Leena Tewari: All About The Business Tycoon That Executed India's Most Expensive Property Sale

Leena Tewari, chairperson of USV Pvt., made headlines when she purchased two seafront properties in Worli for the sum of Rs 639 crore, which was the most expensive sale of property documented in India, according to reports.

Tewari reportedly paid up to Rs 63.9 crore for goods and service tax, registration fees and stamp duty, totalling the amount paid to Rs 703 crore.

Facing the Arabian sea, these properties occupy an area of 22,572 sq ft and reportedly cost Rs 2.83 lakh per sq ft.

Leena Tewari took the reins of USV Pvt. in 2013 from her grandfather Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, who founded the pharmaceutical and biotechnological firm in 1961.

With a net worth of $2.6 billion, Tewari's run saw many expansions, acquisitions and partnerships as evidenced by the firm acquiring German generics firm Juta Pharma in 2018, to expand its global market and range of product offerings.

USV emerged as a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical industry, being known for their offerings of diabetic and cardiovascular drugs, biosimilar drugs, injectables, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Tewari did her Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and Master of Business Administration from Boston University.

Leena Gandhi Tewari's husband, Prashant Tewari, is the managing director of USV. Prashant is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology and has a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell.

Their daughter, Aneesha Gandhi Tewari, has a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and joined USV's board in August 2022.

Tewari is a noted philanthropist and is involved with providing aid to the Sushila Gandhi Centre for Underprivileged Women.

She was ranked No. 23 in the Hurun India Philanthropy List in 2019 for her donation of Rs 34 crore. She was also ranked No. 3 in the Women Philanthropists of 2019 list by the Hurun India.