Who Is Arunachalam Muruganantham? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Arunachalam Muruganantham is 63 years old. He was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. His journey from a school dropout to a globally recognized social innovator is truly inspiring. Known as "Pad Man," he has devoted his life to social causes, particularly focusing on women’s health and hygiene. His biography is detailed on Wikipedia.
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 12, 1961 |
| Age | 63 Years |
| Birth Place | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Arunachalam Muruganantham's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though Arunachalam Muruganantham's specific physical measurements are not frequently disclosed, he is reported to stand at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs around 70 kg (154 lbs). His stature is complemented by an approachable demeanor, which resonates well during his advocacy and educational events.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Arunachalam Muruganantham is married to his long-time partner, Shanti Muruganantham. The couple has faced numerous challenges together, especially in the early days of Arunachalam's innovative journey. Their bond has been strengthened through shared experiences and mutual respect. Arunachalam has often credited Shanti for her support in his mission to bring menstrual hygiene awareness to underprivileged women.
Muruganantham grew up in poverty after his father died in a road accident. His mother worked as a farm laborer to help in his studies. However, at the age of 14, he dropped out of school. He supplied food to factory workers and took up various jobs as a machine tool operator, yam-selling agent, farm laborer, and welder, to support his family.
Net Worth and Salary
By 2025, Arunachalam Muruganantham’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. His earnings primarily stem from his successful sanitary pad manufacturing business, consultancy work, and motivational speaking engagements. Muruganantham's commitment to his craft has allowed him to generate significant income while continuing to focus on social entrepreneurship.
Muruganantham's invention is widely praised as a key step in changing women's lives in India. The machine creates jobs and income for many women, and affordable pads enable many more women to earn their livelihood during menstruation.
In addition to his own outreach, Muruganantham's work has also inspired many other entrepreneurs to enter this area, including some who propose to use waste banana fibre or bamboo for the purpose.
Career, Business, and Investments
Arunachalam Muruganantham started his career by creating a cheap pad-making machine, thereby revolutionizing menstrual hygiene management in India. His business model not only empowers women by providing jobs but also educates communities about menstrual health. In addition to his initial contributions, he has expanded his focus to developing products and solutions that align with sustainable practices.
Muruganantham has also diversified his investments into industries that support social initiatives and foster community development. His entrepreneurial spirit is matched only by his dedication to social change.
Arunachalam Muruganantham (born 12 October 1961) also known as Padman is a social entrepreneur from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. He is the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India.
His mini-machines, which can manufacture sanitary pads for less than a third of the cost of commercial pads, have been installed in 23 of the 28 states of India in rural areas. He is currently planning to expand the production of these machines to 106 nations. The movie Period. End of Sentence.
won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for the year 2018. The 2018 Hindi film Pad Man was made on his invention, where he was portrayed by Akshay Kumar.
Social Network
Arunachalam Muruganantham has a robust presence on various social media platforms. He engages with followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, sharing insights into his work and the importance of menstrual hygiene. His influence extends beyond social media, as he frequently appears at international conferences, advocating for women’s health and rights.
- Facebook: Arunachalam Muruganantham
- Twitter: @PadMan_India
- Instagram: @arunachalam.muruganantham
Muruganantham's story was the subject of a prize-winning documentary by Amit Virmani, Menstrual Man, and the film Phullu (2017) directed by Abhishek Saxena. Director R. Balki cast Indian actor Akshay Kumar as Laxmikant Chauhan in a film based on Muruganantham's life, titled Pad Man.
Education
Despite having dropped out of school to support his family financially, Arunachalam Muruganantham demonstrates that self-education and life experiences contribute significantly to personal and professional development. His initiatives have led him to receive numerous honorary doctorates and accolades from prestigious institutions around the world, further solidifying his status as a thought leader in social entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Arunachalam Muruganantham continues to be a beacon of hope and change in the realm of social entrepreneurship as of 2025. His dedication to improving women’s health through innovation, his supportive family life, and his ongoing passion for education and empowerment make him a noteworthy figure not just in India, but globally. As he journeys onward, Muruganantham undoubtedly stands as a powerful example of how one individual can enact meaningful change in the world.
