Which Indian-born billionaire founded the steel giant ArcelorMittal?

Lakshmi Mittal founded the steel enterprise that became the global giant ArcelorMittal. His steel businesses grew through international acquisitions, and his Mittal Steel Company acquired Arcelor in 2006 before the combined company became ArcelorMittal in 2007.

Mittal entered the steel industry in Indonesia in 1976, opening a factory when India’s restrictions made overseas expansion attractive. He later built a multinational network by acquiring and restructuring underperforming steel plants. His takeover of Arcelor transformed that expansion strategy into one of the world’s largest steel producers.

The company’s name can cause confusion: Arcelor itself was created in 2002 through a merger of Aceralia, Usinor and Arbed. ArcelorMittal was formed later from Arcelor and Mittal Steel, so Mittal is best understood as the founder of the Mittal steel group and the driving force behind the combined company, rather than the founder of every predecessor.