Meet the Ambanis, the richest family in Asia, who live in a $1 billion skyscraper and mingle with royals, politicians, and Bollywood stars

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Meet the Ambanis, the richest family in Asia, who live in a $1 billion skyscraper and mingle with royals, politicians, and Bollywood stars

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Reuters, Getty, AP; Shayanne Gal/Business Insider

The Ambanis live in a $1 billion skyscraper home in Mumbai.

 

The richest family in Asia is an Indian family that just threw one of the most lavish wedding celebrations in recent memory, which included a private Beyoncé concert and celebrity guests including Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, Hillary Clinton, and Arianna Huffington.

The Ambani family is behind oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries. The company's chairman and largest shareholder is Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in Asia, who is worth an estimated $42.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Mukesh's daughter, 27-year-old Isha Ambani, married Anand Piramal, 33, heir to a real estate and pharmaceutical business, in December 2018 at the Ambani family home in Mumbai, a 27-story skyscraper that cost an estimated $1 billion to build.

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Here's a look at the Ambani family's fortune, relationships, friends, and lavish lifestyles. 

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The Ambani family in India tops the Forbes list of Asia's Richest Families, with a net worth of at least $42.7 billion.

The Ambani family in India tops the Forbes list of Asia's Richest Families, with a net worth of at least $42.7 billion.

Source: Forbes

The Indian family's massive wealth began with Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded Reliance Industries to manufacture fabrics and textiles.

The Indian family's massive wealth began with Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded Reliance Industries to manufacture fabrics and textiles.

Source: Bloomberg, Fortune

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It's now a Fortune 500 company worth $100 billion.

It's now a Fortune 500 company worth $100 billion.

Source: Bloomberg, Fortune

Dhirubhai died in 2002 at age 69 without a will ...

Dhirubhai died in 2002 at age 69 without a will ...

Source: Bloomberg

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... leaving his company to be run by both of his sons: Mukesh and his younger brother, Anil.

... leaving his company to be run by both of his sons: Mukesh and his younger brother, Anil.

Source: Bloomberg

A bitter succession battle between the two brothers followed their father's death and resulted in a rivalrous relationship between Mukesh and Anil. Ultimately, Mukesh was left in charge of the majority of Reliance.

A bitter succession battle between the two brothers followed their father's death and resulted in a rivalrous relationship between Mukesh and Anil. Ultimately, Mukesh was left in charge of the majority of Reliance.

Source: Bloomberg

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In 2005, the brothers split the company in a deal negotiated by their mother, and Mukesh was left with control of the oil, gas, petrochemicals, and refining operations of the business. Anil took over construction, telecommunications, asset management, entertainment and power generation businesses.

In 2005, the brothers split the company in a deal negotiated by their mother, and Mukesh was left with control of the oil, gas, petrochemicals, and refining operations of the business. Anil took over construction, telecommunications, asset management, entertainment and power generation businesses.

Source: Bloomberg

Today, 61-year-old Mukesh Ambani is worth an estimated $42.7 billion as the chairman and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Limited.

Today, 61-year-old Mukesh Ambani is worth an estimated $42.7 billion as the chairman and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Limited.

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index

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After a thriving year for the company during which $4 billion was added to his fortune, Mukesh surpassed Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma in July 2018 to become the richest man in Asia.

After a thriving year for the company during which $4 billion was added to his fortune, Mukesh surpassed Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma in July 2018 to become the richest man in Asia.

Source: Bloomberg

Anil Ambani, 59, chairman of Reliance Group, is worth an estimated $1.5 billion — more than $40 billion less than his older brother. Bloomberg reported that 2018 saw his businesses suffer from "legal and liquidity challenges."

Anil Ambani, 59, chairman of Reliance Group, is worth an estimated $1.5 billion — more than $40 billion less than his older brother. Bloomberg reported that 2018 saw his businesses suffer from "legal and liquidity challenges."

Source: Bloomberg

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Indian media reported in September that Anil's "cash-strapped" Reliance Communications will quit the telecom business and turn to real estate.

Indian media reported in September that Anil's "cash-strapped" Reliance Communications will quit the telecom business and turn to real estate.

Source: Times of India

Anil is married to Tina Ambani, a former Bollywood actress ...

Anil is married to Tina Ambani, a former Bollywood actress ...

Source: The National

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... and they have two sons. Anmol Ambani, 27, works within his father's company and was named a director to the Board of Reliance Capital in 2016.

... and they have two sons. Anmol Ambani, 27, works within his father's company and was named a director to the Board of Reliance Capital in 2016.

Source: Reliance Capital

Anil's younger son, Anshul, will also join the family business as an executive director on the board of Reliance Infrastructure.

Anil's younger son, Anshul, will also join the family business as an executive director  on the board of Reliance Infrastructure.

Source: Business Standard

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Mukesh Ambani is married to Nita Ambani, who Forbes called "The First Lady Of Indian Business" in 2016.

Mukesh Ambani is married to Nita Ambani, who Forbes called "The First Lady Of Indian Business" in 2016.

Source: Forbes

Nita is the chair of Reliance Foundation, the company's charity organization. She's also involved with the company's sports ventures as well as marketing and branding strategy for Reliance Jio Infocomm, Reliance's mobile network operator.

Nita is the chair of Reliance Foundation, the company's charity organization. She's also involved with the company's sports ventures as well as marketing and branding strategy for Reliance Jio Infocomm, Reliance's mobile network operator.

Source: Forbes

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Nita and Mukesh have three children, the youngest being 23-year-old Anant Ambani, who has started taking part in some of his father's company's events and meetings.

Nita and Mukesh have three children, the youngest being 23-year-old Anant Ambani, who has started taking part in some of his father's company's events and meetings.

Source: Bloomberg

Rumors have swirled about a possible engagement between Anant and Radhika Merchant, but a Reliance spokesperson said in May that "Anant Ambani is not engaged yet."

Rumors have swirled about a possible engagement between Anant and Radhika Merchant, but a Reliance spokesperson said in May that "Anant Ambani is not engaged yet."

Source: Yahoo India

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Then there are 27-year-old twins Isha and Akash Ambani.

Then there are 27-year-old twins Isha and Akash Ambani.

Akash is a board member at Reliance Jio. Both he and his twin sister studied at Ivy League universities in the US, Akash at Brown University ...

Akash is a board member at Reliance Jio. Both he and his twin sister studied at Ivy League universities in the US, Akash at Brown University ...

Source: Forbes

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... and Isha at Yale and Stanford.

Source: Business Insider

Akash is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Shloka Mehta, the daughter of a well-known diamond merchant.

Akash is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Shloka Mehta, the daughter of a well-known diamond merchant.

Source: Forbes

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They're expected to be married in March 2019.

They're expected to be married in March 2019.

Source: Forbes

Akash's twin sister, Isha, is on the board of directors for India's largest retailer, Reliance Retail, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and serves as a co-director for the telecom arm, Jio.

Akash's twin sister, Isha, is on the board of directors for India's largest retailer, Reliance Retail, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and serves as a co-director for the telecom arm, Jio.

Source: Business Insider

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She previously spent a stint working at management consulting firm McKinsey in New York.

She previously spent a stint working at management consulting firm McKinsey in New York.

Source: India Times

Isha married Anand Piramal, 33, heir to a real estate and pharmaceutical business, in December 2018, following several lavish pre-wedding events.

Isha married Anand Piramal, 33, heir to a real estate and pharmaceutical business, in December 2018, following several lavish pre-wedding events.

Source: Business Insider

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The engagement party took place at the luxury Villa D'Este hotel on Italy's Lake Como, where singer John Legend gave a private performance.

Source: Business Insider

Other pre-wedding festivities were held in the western Indian city of Udaipur.

Other pre-wedding festivities were held in the western Indian city of Udaipur.

Source: Business Insider

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These celebrations included a private concert by Beyoncé, who reportedly sang "Crazy in Love," "Naughty Girl," and "Perfect" at the Oberoi Udaivilas hotel in Udaipur.

Source: Business Insider

The wedding ceremony itself was held at the Ambani family home in Mumbai.

The wedding ceremony itself was held at the Ambani family home in Mumbai.

Source: Business Insider

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An estimated 600 guests attended the extravagant wedding, which cost an estimated $100 million by some reports. A Reliance spokesman, however, said it cost no more than $15 million.

An estimated 600 guests attended the extravagant wedding, which cost an estimated $100 million by some reports. A Reliance spokesman, however, said it cost no more than $15 million.

Source: Forbes

Vintage cars carried guests during the wedding procession.

Vintage cars carried guests during the wedding procession.
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Brothers Akash and Anant rode in on horseback.

Brothers Akash and Anant rode in on horseback.

The celebration included dance performances and sightings of many high-profile guests ...

The celebration included dance performances and sightings of many high-profile guests ...
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... including former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton with her longtime aide, Huma Abedin ...

... including former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton with her longtime aide, Huma Abedin ...

... actor Priyanka Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas ...

... actor Priyanka Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas ...
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... and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

... and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

The wedding venue was the Ambani family home in Mumbai: a 27-story luxury skyscraper that cost an estimated $1 billion to build. It's called Antilia after a mythical Atlantic island.

The wedding venue was the Ambani family home in Mumbai: a 27-story luxury skyscraper that cost an estimated $1 billion to build. It's called Antilia after a mythical Atlantic island.

Source: Business Insider

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Antilia includes swimming pools, ballrooms, a garden that spans three floors, six floors of parking, three helipads, and it can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake. A staff of 600 people runs the home.

Antilia includes swimming pools, ballrooms, a garden that spans three floors, six floors of parking, three helipads, and it can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake. A staff of 600 people runs the home.

Source: Business Insider

It's estimated to be one of the world's most expensive properties, second to Buckingham Palace. In this photo, trees surrounding the skyscraper are decorated for Isha's wedding.

It's estimated to be one of the world's most expensive properties, second to Buckingham Palace. In this photo, trees surrounding the skyscraper are decorated for Isha's wedding.

Source: Business Insider

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Isha will reportedly be moving out of the family home following her wedding.

Isha will reportedly be moving out of the family home following her wedding.

Source: Reuters

She and her new husband will move into a bungalow in Mumbai called Gulita.

She and her new husband will move into a bungalow in Mumbai called Gulita.

Source: Reuters

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The Ambani family has long mingled with high-profile global figures, including Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall ...

The Ambani family has long mingled with high-profile global figures, including Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall ...

... former British Prime Minister David Cameron ...

... former British Prime Minister David Cameron ...
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... Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ...

... Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ...

... former US president Barack Obama ...

... former US president Barack Obama ...
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... and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The Clintons and the Ambanis have reportedly known each other for nearly 20 years.

... and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The Clintons and the Ambanis have reportedly known each other for nearly 20 years.

Source: The Guardian

The wealth of the Ambani family seems poised to continue growing.

The wealth of the Ambani family seems poised to continue growing.

Source: Bloomberg

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Ambani's telecom company, Jio, has shaken up the industry in India, growing to 200 million subscribers in just two years.

Ambani's telecom company, Jio, has shaken up the industry in India, growing to 200 million subscribers in just two years.

Source: Bloomberg

"Jio is the biggest driver behind the surge in Reliance shares," Deven Choksey, managing director at K.R. Choksey Shares and Securities Pvt., told Bloomberg.

"Jio is the biggest driver behind the surge in Reliance shares," Deven Choksey, managing director at K.R. Choksey Shares and Securities Pvt., told Bloomberg.

Source: Bloomberg

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With all three of his children involved in the family business in some capacity, Mukesh Ambani's succession plan for the company is "unclear," according to Bloomberg. Only time will tell who will take over the $100 billion company.

With all three of his children involved in the family business in some capacity, Mukesh Ambani's succession plan for the company is "unclear," according to Bloomberg. Only time will tell who will take over the $100 billion company.

Source: Bloomberg