Asia’s Richest Man’s Son Marries in Year’s Most Extravagant Wedding

Mumbai, India (AP) — The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest individual, married his longtime partner early Saturday in a ceremony widely regarded as the wedding of the year. The high-profile event was attended by international celebrities, business titans, and political leaders, showcasing the Ambani family’s immense wealth and influence.

Wedding rites, including the exchange of garlands and the traditional ritual of walking around a sacred fire, began on Friday and concluded past midnight.

The celebrations for Anant Ambani’s marriage to Radhika Merchant were hosted at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai and the family’s residence. The marriage ceremony culminated months of pre-wedding events featuring performances by global pop icons such as Rihanna and Justin Bieber.

Beginning Friday with a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, the four-day festivities will continue with a grand reception extending throughout the weekend. The guest list, according to local media, included notable figures like former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham. However, the Ambani family did not officially disclose the guest list.

Television channels aired scenes of well-known personalities, including Kim Kardashian in a striking red outfit and professional wrestler and Hollywood actor John Cena making their arrival.

International attendees donned traditional attire crafted by prominent Indian fashion designers. Cena appeared in a light blue sherwani paired with white pants, while Nick Jonas chose a pink sherwani and white trousers.

To manage the surge of visitors flying into Mumbai — already grappling with heavy monsoon rains, flooding, and flight delays — police enforced traffic diversions around the wedding venue from Friday through Monday.

The lavishness of the wedding has sparked a debate concerning the growing inequality in India, where the gap between the affluent and the impoverished is expanding. The grandeur of the event also stirred frustration among Mumbai locals, who expressed concerns over traffic disruptions.

“It affects our earnings. I don’t care much about the wedding,” remarked Vikram, a taxi driver who gave only his first name.

The groom’s father, Mukesh Ambani, ranks as the world’s ninth richest person with a net worth of $116 billion, according to Forbes. He is also the richest individual in Asia. His company, Reliance Industries, is a sprawling conglomerate with interests spanning petrochemicals, oil and gas, telecommunications, and retail, boasting annual revenues exceeding $100 billion.

Among the Ambani family’s assets is a 27-story Mumbai residence valued at $1 billion, equipped with three helipads, a 160-car garage, and a private movie theater.

Anant Ambani, 29, is responsible for the company’s renewable and green energy initiatives. Additionally, he manages a sprawling 3,000-acre animal rescue center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the family’s hometown.

The bride, Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the daughter of pharmaceutical magnate Viren Merchant and serves as the marketing director for his company, Encore Healthcare, according to Vogue.

Critics of Mukesh Ambani argue that his company’s meteoric rise is attributed to political connections during the Congress party-governed eras of the 1970s and ’80s, as well as under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration since 2014.

The pre-wedding festivities of the Ambani family have been nothing short of extravagant and star-studded.

In March, the family hosted a three-day prenuptial celebration for Anant, attended by 1,200 guests, including former global leaders, tech magnates, Bollywood superstars, and performances by Rihanna, Akon, and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who gained international acclaim with his Coachella performance. Tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates were also present.

This inaugural event sparked a flurry of social media activity and dominated headlines as it marked the beginning of months of opulent pre-wedding celebrations.

In May, guests were treated to a three-day cruise from Italy to France, featuring Katy Perry performing her hit song “Firework” and a performance by Pitbull, as reported by media outlets.

As part of the ongoing celebrations, the family organized a mass wedding for over 50 underprivileged couples on July 2.

Last week, Justin Bieber took the stage at a pre-wedding concert attended by hundreds, with additional performances from Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, and Salman Khan.

Back in 2018, Mukesh Ambani garnered attention when Beyoncé performed at pre-wedding events for his daughter. Eminent personalities, including former U.S. Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, mingled with Indian celebrities and Bollywood luminaries in Udaipur, western India.

Source: Associated Press