As big, fat Indian weddings go, Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, is renowned for taking them to stratospheric levels of grandeur. This weekend, the billionaire tycoon is gearing up to host pre-wedding festivities for his 28-year-old son, Anant Ambani, promising a lavish affair where no expense is spared. Anant is set to tie the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Radhika Merchant, the 29-year-old daughter of fellow Indian billionaire, Viren Merchant.
Though the wedding itself is scheduled for July, the celebrations kick off with a three-day extravaganza starting Friday, March 1, in the Ambanis’ refinery township of Jamnagar, Gujarat. The guest list boasts some of the biggest names from Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and the entertainment industry.
International pop sensation Rihanna is slated to perform, creating a stir with her arrival in India on Feb. 29, marked by viral images of her colossal luggage. Among the 1,200 distinguished guests are luminaries such as Bill Gates, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Blackrock’s Larry Fink, and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai. Notable political figures including former Canadian PM Stephen Harper, former Australian PM Kevin Rudd, and Ivanka Trump are also expected. Indian business magnates Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla, as well as cricketing icons and Bollywood stars, will grace the occasion.
The presence of Disney CEO Bob Iger is anticipated following Mukesh Ambani’s announcement of an $8.5 billion merger with Disney over its Indian media assets earlier in the week. This deal is poised to revolutionize India’s television and streaming landscape, solidifying Reliance Industries’ dominance in the rapidly expanding entertainment market.
The opulent celebrations unfold in the Ambanis’ sprawling 3,000-acre estate, featuring a mango orchard. Alongside Rihanna, guests will be treated to a performance by renowned illusionist David Blaine. Reuters reports reveal the theme of a glitzy cocktail party, where attendees are encouraged to embrace “jungle fever” attire. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit the Ambanis’ animal rescue center and indulge in a sumptuous gala boasting over 2,500 dishes meticulously prepared by a team of 65 chefs. Moreover, bespoke services such as hair styling, make-up, and saree draping are on offer, complemented by return charter flights from New Delhi and Mumbai.
Mukesh Ambani’s staggering net worth of $111 billion places him as the richest person in Asia and the 11th globally, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As the chairman of Fortune 500 company Reliance Industries, Ambani oversees a conglomerate spanning diverse sectors including petroleum refining, retail, telecommunications, and digital streaming services. With a net worth of $243 billion, his family, including wife Nita and their three children, are set to inherit his vast empire. Recent years have seen Ambani meticulously planning a succession strategy, involving his 31-year-old twins Isha and Akash, as well as Anant, who joined the Reliance board in August.
Anant Ambani currently serves as a director at Reliance’s new energy business and the Reliance Foundation. His engagement to Radhika Merchant was celebrated in a traditional ceremony at the Ambani’s opulent residence, Antilia, in Mumbai last January. Antilia, standing tall at 27 storeys, has garnered global attention as the world’s most expensive property.
India’s luxury wedding market, valued at over $75 billion annually, attracts celebrities, fashion icons, and entertainment moguls. However, none compare to the extravagance synonymous with the Ambani family. Their 2018 wedding for daughter Isha set records as one of India’s most expensive weddings, reportedly costing close to $100 million. The festivities spanned across Lake Como, Mumbai, and Udaipur, featuring performances by superstar Beyoncé and esteemed guests including former U.S. Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.
As the world watches in awe, Mukesh Ambani continues to redefine opulence, ensuring that his son’s pre-wedding celebrations set a new standard for luxury and grandeur.
