Asia’s wealthiest billionaire Ambani dedicates $152M to son’s pre-wedding festivities

Anant Ambani (L), son of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, and his fiancée Radhika Merchant. Photo from Instagram/loveleen_makeupandhair

The figure was reported by the Daily Mail through sources.

Drawing attendance from globally renowned personalities - including Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the extravagant event’s catering, handled by a top-tier hotel group in India, is believed to have cost about 20 million pounds.

Sources close to the Ambanis also suggest that pop and R&B singer Rihanna’s appearance at the event, which took place in the Indian city of Jamnagar, was priced at 5 million pounds.

The remaining budget was allocated to accommodate numerous staff and a culinary team of 21 chefs from India’s Indore city, who prepared a wide array of 2,500 dishes spanning Indian, Mexican, Chinese, and European cuisines. Arranging luxury lodging near Jamnagar for around 1,000 distinguished guests was another expenditure.

Sources familiar with the Ambani family suggested that the total expenditure might rise, given the upcoming wedding scheduled for July in Mumbai.

This has led to Anant’s wedding surpassing the cost of his sister Isha’s 2018 nuptials, which was reported to be around US$100 million and featured a performance by American pop superstar Beyonce, according to AFP.

To commemorate the upcoming wedding, the Ambanis have also constructed a Hindu temple complex in Jamnagar, as disclosed in a post by the Reliance Foundation, part of their family business, on social media.

"In anticipation of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s eagerly awaited wedding, the Ambani family has contributed to the erection of new temples within an extensive temple complex in Jamnagar," read the foundation’s Facebook post.

At 28, Anant Ambani is the youngest offspring of Mukesh Ambani, who helms the Reliance Industries conglomerate, boasting annual revenues of US$110 billion.

As of Mar. 4, 2024, Forbes lists Mukesh Ambani’s wealth at US$117 billion, making him Asia’s richest and the world’s ninth richest person.

Radhika Merchant, 29, is the daughter of Shri Viren Merchant, the chief executive of India’s prominent healthcare firm Encore Healthcare.

The couple, having been acquainted since their younger years, both received their education in the U.S.

Their pre-wedding celebrations, spanning from Friday to Sunday, showcased diverse themes, events, and dress codes, with a highlight being the visit to an "animal rescue center" in Jamnagar on Saturday. This center, which is home to various exotic animals, represents a special project led by Anant.