What could be a deeper reason why Mukesh Ambani spent 600 million USD for his Anant Ambani’s wedding?
For several days now, I’ve been seeing the Ambani Wedding trending. Who exactly are the Ambani family and why are they so incredibly wealthy? They spent a staggering 600 million US dollars on their son Anant Ambani’s wedding. Such is their wealth that they paid Justin Bieber 10 million USD just to perform at the wedding, alongside Rihanna, and Katy Perry, and even invited the Kardashians, Kim and Chloe. As of 2023, the Ambani family is worth 122 billion US dollars, owning 250 companies and ranking as the 11th richest in the world. Their holdings include major telecommunications and broadband services, with Reliance having over 470 million subscribers. Mukesh Ambani, the head of the family, is Asia’s wealthiest person. Their business interests span toys, shares in Nickelodeon, restaurants, gas and oil, and payment channels, and they are India’s largest merchandise exporter.
Mukesh Ambani wasn’t born into wealth; he and his family are known as ‘new rich.’ His father was once a gas station attendant, and they lived in a small tenement building. Their fortune grew immensely after Mukesh inherited and expanded his father’s business, eventually turning it into a multi-billion dollar empire.
Their son Anant Ambani suffers from severe asthma, which may explain their lavish spending on the wedding — perhaps a desire to celebrate while they can. Speculation suggests India may also view such events as a way to showcase national prowess and capability to the world, beyond a mere wedding. It’s seen as a statement of India’s economic, political, intellectual, and scientific strength, as suggested in an Al Jazeera article.
This wasn’t just a wedding but a major public event with numerous foreign dignitaries in attendance. It seems likely that beyond a celebration, it was also a strategic move to network and engage with powerful families and potential business partners. While the 600 million USD expenditure may seem exorbitant, for the rich, every move is calculated, with returns expected through networks and influence gained from global visibility.