Javed Akhtar Highest-Paid Poet in the World

By Carol Kearney
New Delhi
Last updated on April 22, 2025

Javed Akhtar led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid poets” released on Monday.

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It's been a rough year for the poet, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 80-year-old Javed Akhtar has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid poets for 2025 with an estimated $82 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 22/04/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Javed Akhtar tops annual list of highest-paid poets

In 2022 it looked like the poet’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Monday (April 21) that Akhtar is the highest-paid poet in the world, pulling in an astonishing $82 million between March 2024 and March 2025, a nearly $50 million lead over his closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Indian poet has an estimated net worth of $245 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Akhtar Burger” chain) in New Delhi, a Football Team (the “Gwalior Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wonderakhtar - India), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Javed) and a fashion line called “Javed Akhtar Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Javed fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.