Anant Ambani’s lavish wedding to Radhika Merchant was a global gathering for the rich and famous. The celebrations began with elaborate pre-wedding festivities in March, culminating in a grand three-day wedding ceremony in July 2024. From powerful billionaires like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to renowned politicians, business leaders, and A-list celebrities, the events attracted elites worldwide, dominating entertainment headlines for weeks.
The months-long marital ceremony sparked a media frenzy that showcased spectacular luxury, highlighting the extravagant lifestyle of the upper class, as much as it piqued public curiosity about the couple’s families. While the Ambanis are no strangers to media coverage, the wedding has renewed public interest in Anant Ambani. Here’s what to know about the youngest Ambani, co-heir to India’s biggest private company Reliance Industries.
Anant Ambani Is The Second Son Of Mukesh And Nita Ambani
Anant Ambani is the grandson of Reliance Industries founder Dhirubhai Ambani. He was born to Mukesh and Nita Ambani on April 10, 1995, in Mumbai, India. His father, Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, ranks among the world’s richest billionaires. As of mid-2024, he’s the richest man in India and Asia at large. Mukesh’s wealth comes from Reliance, which he helped his father build in the 80s. His net worth is estimated at over $122 billion.
Anant Ambani’s mother, Nita Ambani (née Dalal), hails from a middle-class family. The former school teacher and founder of Reliance’s non-profit arm (Reliance Foundation) wedded Mukesh in 1985. Six years into the marriage, the couple welcomed Anant’s older siblings: a son named Akash Ambani and his twin sister, Isha Ambani. The twins born on October 23, 1991, were conceived through IVF.
The Brown University Graduate Is A Non-Executive Director At Reliance
The Ambani siblings went to college in the United States. While Isha graduated from Yale University in 2013, her brothers attended Brown University. Anant Ambani bagged a degree in Business Management from the Ivy League in Providence, Rhode Island. Alongside his siblings, he serves Reliance as a non-executive director. Anant was appointed to the board of Jio Platforms Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, in March 2020.
He joined the boards of Reliance New Solar Energy Limited and Reliance New Energy Limited the following year. He’s also served on the board of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited since May 2022. According to his profile on the company’s website, he’s leading Reliance’s aim to become a net carbon-zero company come 2035. “Ambani’s zeal and passion will play a vital role in environmental stewardship to pivot Reliance’s Energy business to a sustainable future by reducing carbon footprint and preserving biodiversity,” reads the profile in part.
Anant Ambani Is Asthmatic And Struggling With His Health
The Reliance heir has been struggling with health issues since his childhood. Diagnosed with asthma at a young age, Anant Ambani began taking steroids to manage the condition. This unfortunately led to weight gain, complicating his health. “He suffers from obesity,” Nita told the Times of India in a 2017 interview. “He was highly asthmatic so we had to put him on a lot of steroids,” she explained.
To deal with his weight problem, Anant Ambani and his mom moved to Los Angeles where they spent some time in a children’s obesity hospital. He weighed 459 pounds at his heaviest but lost over 220 pounds through treatment, a healthy diet, and exercise routines with celebrity fitness trainer Vinod Channa. In an emotional speech at one of his pre-wedding celebrations, Anant acknowledged his health problem as he thanked his parents for always supporting him. “I’ve faced many health crises since childhood but my father and mother have never let me feel it,” he said.
Meet Anant Ambani’s Wife Radhika Merchant
The new daughter-in-law of the Ambani family was born in Mumbai, India, on December 18, 1994. Radhika Merchant hails from a popular family. Her father Viren Merchant is a famous businessman. He’s the CEO of Encore Healthcare which he co-founded with his wife Shaila Merchant. Radhika is one of two daughters born to the couple. Her sister Anjali Merchant wedded Aman Majithia, the founder of Vataly in 2020. The sisters serve on the board of Encore Healthcare. Radhika attended New York University where she obtained a degree in Political Science and Economics. Beyond the business world, Anant’s wife is a professional dancer. She trained in Bharatanatyam, India’s oldest classical dance. Read more about Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s epic wedding.
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