Remember Hot Yoga Founder Bikram Choudhury? A look back at his career, net worth, and controversies

21st June is celebrated as International Yoga Day across the world. Not only in India, but foreigners too have realised the health benefits of yoga and started participating in it. Many famous yoga teachers across the world promote yoga and its benefits. One of them is Bikram Choudhury, an Indian-American yoga teacher from Kolkata. He is the founder of Bikram Yoga and claims to have taught hot yoga to his clients in an environment of 40 degrees Celsius and invented 26 unique yoga poses. He quickly became famous and is said to have a net worth of Rs 60 crore.

Born in Kolkata in 1946, Bikram Choudhury came to the United States in the 1970s and opened yoga studios in California, Hawaii and other places. Bikram Choudhury’s business was very successful in the United States and around the world. He had many celebrities among his clients. His business was supported by his wife, Rajashree Choudhury. Because of the hot vibe he exudes, he and his students are mostly seen in simple attire.

Reportedly, he conducted training sessions twice a year, which were attended by over 400 students, who were happy to pay lakhs of rupees for his sessions. He taught yoga for nine weeks, after which he became a certified Bikram Choudhury Yoga teacher. He trained pop singers such as Madonna and Lady Gaga, and footballer David Beckham. He also claimed to have taught yoga to American presidents such as Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. He reportedly owned assets worth over 600 crore rupees, and also owned 43 luxury cars.

According to Time magazine, he is said to be associated with 720 yoga schools which have mushroomed in more than 200 countries. Apart from this, he has hundreds of studios all over the world. Reports suggest that he had 650 studios in the US alone. His business took a big hit after many of his students accused him of rape. He was also sued over civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and discrimination.