Ananda Krishnan's Son Gave Up Billion-Dollar Fortune To Become A Monk. Here's His Story
Ven Ajahn Siripanyo also has royal blood, as his mother is a descendant of the Thai royal family.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 29 Nov 2024, 12:24 PM
Following the passing of Malaysian business tycoon Ananda Krishnan yesterday, 28 November, media reports worldwide have highlighted his son, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo, who has given up a billion-dollar inheritance for a monastic life
Ananda was one of Malaysia's richest individuals, with a net worth of USD4.8 billion (about RM21.3 billion).
The Harvard Business School alumnus had built a remarkable career by founding Maxis Bhd, a leading telecommunications company in Malaysia, and Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, a satellite broadcasting and media company.
He was also involved in the oil field services and property development industries, ranking him consistently in the top 10 richest people in the country.
He played a crucial role in constructing the PETRONAS Twin Towers, persuading then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir to build the iconic building in the early 1990s. He was also involved in leading the development of the building and its surroundings in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).
Despite his extensive career and contribution to the country, he remained one of the most reclusive billionaires, avoiding media attention throughout his life. Little is known about his private life, except that he was married to a Thai woman. He had one son and two daughters.
Following Ananda Krishnan's passing, international media outlets including Variety in the US and the Economic Times in India highlighted his son, Siripanyo, whose unplanned retreat during a visit to his mother's family in Thailand at the age of 18 introduced him to a monastic life.
Siripanyo has been a forest monk for more than 20 years and is the appointed abbot of Dtao Dum Monastery located somewhere on the Thailand-Myanmar border
According to the Economic Times, his choice was supported by his father's devout beliefs, with one family source saying, "Ajahn Siripanyo's choice was entirely his own, and it is respected within the family."
SCMP reported that while Siripanyo has lived an altruistic life since becoming a monk, he cannot avoid experiencing opulence when he returns to his family.
He reportedly made time to visit his father, including one occasion when he flew on a private jet to meet Ananda in Italy.
On another occasion, he attended a spiritual retreat on Penang Hill, with his father subsequently buying the place for his son's convenience. When this happened in 2012, it became a news sensation, with media capturing pictures of them together.
It is also reported that Siripanyo has royal blood through his mother's lineage, linking him to both nobility and immense wealth
SCMP noted that while little is known about his mother's identity, she is Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, a descendant of the Thai royal family.
It is understood that Ananda spent most of his time in the south of France with Momwajarongse, only occasionally flying back to Kuala Lumpur, reported China Press.
Siripanyo grew up and studied in the UK with his two sisters. Sources suggested that he has an open outlook on different cultures and can speak eight languages. Before becoming a monk, he reportedly worked in journalism.
Below is an audio recording of his speech at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California, US:
