Radhika Gupta Biography: From Broken Neck to Financial Titan
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- June 25, 2025
Radhika Gupta, born on September 14, 1983, in Islamabad, Pakistan, is a renowned Indian businesswoman and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund. Known as “The Girl with a Broken Neck,” she overcame physical and emotional challenges to lead one of India’s top asset management firms. This Radhika Gupta biography explores her early life, career growth, struggles, rise to fame, and current influence, highlighting her resilience and leadership.
Radhika Gupta’s Early Life and Background
A Global Childhood
Radhika Gupta was born to Yogesh Gupta, an Indian Foreign Service diplomat, and Arti Gupta, a school principal. Growing up across Pakistan, Nigeria, New York, and Delhi, she faced constant change due to her father’s postings. Born with a neck deformity from birth complications, her tilted neck became more noticeable as she grew, earning her the nickname “The Girl with a Broken Neck” Web:9.
Academic Brilliance
Radhika excelled at schools like Marymount International School, Rome, and American International School, Abuja, earning a gold medal in multiple subjects. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005, with dual degrees in Computer Science from the Moore School and Economics from Wharton Web:14.
Radhika Gupta’s Career Growth
Early Corporate Roles
After college, Radhika interned at Microsoft and joined McKinsey & Company as a business analyst in 2005, strategizing for tech, pharma, and retail clients. She later worked as a portfolio manager at AQR Capital Management until 2009, gaining financial expertise Web:10.
Founding Forefront Capital
In 2009, at age 25, Radhika Gupta co-founded Forefront Capital Management in Mumbai with her husband, Nalin Moniz, and a friend. Starting with Rs 25 lakh, she grew it to Rs 2 crore in a year. Edelweiss Financial Services acquired the firm in 2014, marking her entry into a major corporate role Web:15.
Struggles and Down Phases
Facing Rejection and Depression
At 22, Radhika faced seven job rejections, shattering her confidence. The emotional toll led to a suicide attempt in 2004, landing her in a psychiatric ward. Diagnosed with depression, she struggled with self-doubt and bullying over her neck deformity and Indian accent Web:18.
Adapting to Corporate India
Joining Edelweiss in 2014 after entrepreneurship was challenging. Radhika struggled with India’s corporate culture, receiving harsh feedback. Her nomadic childhood made fitting in difficult, but she adapted through persistence Web:6.
Comeback and Rise to Fame
Radhika’s resilience shone when she joined Edelweiss. In 2016, she led the acquisition of JP Morgan Mutual Fund, integrating it into Edelweiss by 2017. At 34, she became CEO, growing assets from Rs 6,700 crore to Rs 1,04,896 crore by 2023. She launched India’s first corporate bond ETF, Bharat Bond ETF, in 2019 Web:21. Her 2023 role on Shark Tank India Season 3 made her a household name, showcasing her investment savvy Web:23.
Current Status and Influence
Leading Edelweiss Mutual Fund
As of June 2025, Radhika Gupta serves as MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, managing over Rs 1.20 lakh crore in assets. Her leadership elevated Edelweiss from 30th to 13th rank by 2023. Her net worth is estimated at Rs 200 crore Web:22.
Advocacy and Public Speaking
Radhika inspires through her book, Limitless: The Power of Unlocking Your True Potential, and speeches like “The Girl with a Broken Neck,” viewed over 110,000 times on YouTube. She advocates for mental health, women’s empowerment, and financial literacy, earning awards like the Economic Times 40 Under 40 in 2021 Web:12.
Personal Life
Married to Nalin Moniz since 2008, Radhika has a son, Remy Gupta Moniz. She credits her parents for her resilience, particularly her father’s rise from a UP village to a diplomat. A saree enthusiast, she promotes traditional attire as modern and powerful Web:21.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Bridge Player: In Nigeria, Radhika found solace in bridge, avoiding costly hobbies like horse riding Web:10.
- Teaching Assistant: She worked as a top-performing teaching assistant at UPenn Web:14.
- World Economic Forum: Named a Young Global Leader in 2022 Web:10.
- Mental Health Advocate: Openly shares her depression journey to break stigma Web:8.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Radhika Gupta |
| Born | September 14, 1983, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Profession | MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund; Shark Tank India Judge |
| Notable Work | Bharat Bond ETF (2019), Forefront Capital (2009), Limitless (2022) |
| Spouse | Nalin Moniz (married 2008) |
| Net Worth | ~Rs 200 crore (2025) Web:22 |
| Awards | Economic Times 40 Under 40 (2021), Young Global Leader (2022) |
Conclusion
This Radhika Gupta biography showcases a journey of triumph over adversity. From battling rejection and depression to leading Edelweiss Mutual Fund and shining on Shark Tank India, Radhika Gupta embodies resilience. Her advocacy for mental health and women’s empowerment continues to inspire, proving that embracing flaws can unlock limitless potential.
