Full Name : Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani
Father: Dhirubhai Ambani (Founder of Reliance Industries)
Mother: Kokilaben Ambani
DOB: 19 April 1957
Mukesh Ambani Age: 67 years (as of 2024)
Place: British Crown colony of Aden (present-day Yemen)
Mukesh Ambani Net Worth: 9,170 crores USD
Family member: 5 members
Children: Akash AmbanI, Isha Ambani, Anant Ambani
Spouse: Nita Mukesh Ambani
Early Life and Family Background
Mukesh Ambani is the fourth child of well-known Indian businessman Dhirubhai Ambani, who began his career in Aden, Yemen, as a petrol station attendant. The family moved to the Bhuleshwar neighbourhood of Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1958 due to the political unrest in Aden, where Mukesh Ambani was born. They resided in a chawl, which is a community structure that typically houses inexpensive two-room homes. Dhirubhai Ambani and a relative established the Reliance Commercial Corporation the same year. Originally operating out of a one-room rented space, the company expanded into RIL from a commodities-trading enterprise.
The international corporation Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) operates in a number of industries, including telecommunications, retail, textiles, energy, and petrochemicals. As of October 9, 2024, Ambani has a net worth of $119.5 billion, making him the richest person in Asia. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, Forbes magazine’s annual list of billionaires placed him in the top 10 richest individuals worldwide.
Education and early professional life
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay (now the University of Mumbai), Mukesh Ambani went on to Stanford University to acquire a master’s degree in business administration. He left the program, nevertheless, in 1981 to work for the family firm, where he ventured into a wide range of industries, including petrochemicals, communications, infrastructure, petroleum refining, polyester fibers, and gas and oil production.
Family and residence
Mukesh Ambani and his wife, Nita Ambani, got married on March 8, 1985. The couple has three children: Akash and Isha (born in 1991 as twins) and Anant (born in 1995). Nita Ambani, a prominent figure in the Mukesh Ambani family, is a businesswoman, educationist, and advocate for women’s and children’s rights. She manages the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise, serves on the International Olympic Committee, and chairs the Reliance Foundation, RIL’s charitable arm.
The Mukesh Ambani family resides in Antilia , their opulent 27-story residence located on Altamount Road in South Mumbai, one of the priciest places on earth. This lavish home spans 400,000 square feet (37,000 square meters) and is often regarded as one of the most expensive houses in the world. The Mukesh Ambani house price is estimated to be around $1 billion to $2 billion , making it a symbol of unparalleled luxury.
Antilia features luxurious amenities such as a private movie theatre, a temple, a salon, a garage with space for 170 cars, a car servicing station, and even a snow room to keep the household cool during Mumbai’s humid summers. Reflecting Mukesh Ambani’s passion for luxury, his impressive car collection is housed in the expansive garage named JIO garage, showcasing some of the world’s most exclusive and high-end vehicles. The Mukesh Ambani house price not only reflects its architectural grandeur but also its state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced security systems, helipads, and an entire floor dedicated to a lush garden. This extraordinary residence truly stands as a testament to the family’s wealth and influence.
In 2024, all eyes were on the Ambani family as Mukesh Ambani’s youngest son, Anant Ambani , tied the knot with his longtime partner, Radhika Merchant , in a grand and much-anticipated wedding celebration. The festivities spanned several days, blending traditional Indian customs with modern extravagance, showcasing the family’s deep-rooted cultural values and opulent lifestyle. Held at their iconic residence, Antilia, in Mumbai, the wedding was attended by a galaxy of global celebrities, business tycoons, and political figures, making it one of the most high-profile events of the year.
The Ambani brothers’ feuds
Mukesh Ambani and his brother, Anil Ambani, took joint control of the Reliance firms when Dhirubhai Ambani passed away in 2002. Mukesh Ambani took over the management of the gas, oil, and petrochemicals divisions as RIL within the Reliance Group after their mother, Kokilaben Ambani, divided Reliance’s assets through a noncompetition agreement (2006–10) as a result of the brothers’ disputes over power. Financial services, electricity generation, and telecommunications were all taken over by Anil Ambani.
Expansion of RIL
Mukesh Ambani is credited with expanding RIL’s production capacity by commissioning the world’s largest petroleum refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in 1999, followed by a second refinery in 2008. He also established Reliance Retail in 2006, which claims to be India’s largest retail network, serving 249 million customers in FY 2023.
In 2008, Ambani acquired the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise, which became the most valuable IPL team in 2020 despite pandemic challenges, retaining its top position in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2010, the non-compete agreement between Mukesh and Anil Ambani was revoked, paving the way for the launch of Jio Platforms. Under Ambani’s leadership, Jio launched India’s first nationwide 4G network in 2016, reaching over 450 million users by 2023, with more than 50 million on 5G. Plans for 6G development were also announced.
In February 2024, RIL solidified its position as a media giant through an $8.5 billion joint venture with Disney and Viacom18, aiming to reach 750 million viewers with exclusive rights to Disney films in India. Nita Ambani chairs the joint venture.
Other achievements
Global Leadership & Recognitions
- Co-chaired the WEF India Economic Summit (2006) – Played a key role in global economic discussions.
- Elected to the WEF Foundation Board (2010) – Represented India on the world economic stage.
- Ranked No. 1 Indian CEO & No. 2 Globally (2023, 2024) – Featured in Brand Finance’s Brand Guardianship Index.
- Named in “The High & Mighty 2023” (India Today) – Recognized as the most powerful Indian.
- Ranked among the Top 10 Most Powerful Indians (2023, The Indian Express) – Acknowledged for his influence in business and policy.
Wealth & Financial Recognition
- Became the World’s Richest Man (2007) – Declared by Press Trust of India & Economic Times.
- First Indian Rupee Trillionaire (2007) – Achieved a milestone in wealth accumulation.
- Richest Person in Asia (Jan 2024, Forbes India) – With a net worth of $96.4 billion.
- Ranked Among the World’s Top 10 Richest (2021-2023, Forbes) – Featured in the annual billionaire list.
