The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, married his longtime girlfriend on Saturday in a grand ceremony attended by global celebrities, business tycoons, and politicians. The wedding showcased the immense wealth and influence of the Ambani family.
Anant Ambani married Radhika Merchant at a lavish event held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai and the family home. The couple’s wedding rituals, including the exchange of garlands and traditional Hindu ceremonies, began on Friday and continued past midnight.
The festivities included performances by international stars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a reception organized by the Ambanis, where the newlyweds sought his blessings by touching his feet, a gesture of respect.
Among the international guests were reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who was seen in a red outfit, and professional wrestler and actor John Cena. Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, and other prominent figures like John Kerry, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham were also reportedly invited.
The celebrations drew Bollywood icons such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor, who entertained the guests with dances to popular Hindi movie songs. Indian cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni also attended the event.
The Ambanis held a four-day celebration that commenced on Friday and included a blessing ceremony for family and friends. The wedding attracted global attention for its opulence, which led to discussions about economic inequalities in India and complaints from Mumbai residents over traffic disruptions.
Mukesh Ambani, the groom’s father, is Asia’s richest person with a net worth of $116 billion. His conglomerate, Reliance Industries, has diverse interests in petrochemicals, oil, gas, telecoms, and retail, generating over $100 billion in annual revenue. The family’s luxurious lifestyle includes a 27-story mansion in Mumbai valued at $1 billion.
Anant Ambani, 29, oversees the family’s renewable and green energy ventures and manages an animal rescue center in Gujarat. Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the marketing director for her father’s company, Encore Healthcare.
The pre-wedding celebrations have been equally extravagant. In March, the Ambanis hosted a three-day party attended by tech giants Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, featuring performances by Rihanna, Akon, and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh. They also organized a three-day cruise from Italy to France with live performances by Katy Perry and Pitbull, and a mass wedding for over 50 underprivileged couples as part of the celebrations.
The wedding has been a significant social event in India, capturing headlines and social media attention due to its scale and the prominence of its attendees, combining Bollywood glitz, political figures, and global celebrities.