Ananth Ambani, son of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant are celebrating their nuptials in what is being dubbed the most expensive wedding of the era. The three-day extravaganza in Mumbai has drawn global attention, featuring a star-studded guest list that includes Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, as well as leading politicians and business moguls.
The wedding, reportedly costing over INR 5,000 crore (approximately $610 million USD), is just a fraction (approximately 0.5%) of Mukesh Ambani’s $115 billion net worth. The event underscores the Ambani family’s penchant for lavish celebrations and their ability to host some of the most opulent events in modern history.
Festivities kicked off with a pre-wedding celebration named Priya Sambhashana in Gujarat last March, attended by over a thousand guests, including Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. The event featured a performance by global superstar Rihanna, who was reportedly paid $7 million.
In June, the Ambani family hosted another pre-wedding event aboard a luxury cruise from Italy to France, further adding to the grandeur of the celebrations. Last week, a concert featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber was held, adding to the star-studded lineup.
The main wedding ceremony began yesterday (12th) at the Jio International Convention Center in Mumbai, following the Hindu Nakshatra system. The event was attended by Bollywood luminaries, American TV personality Kim Kardashian, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, and world-famous wrestler John Cena. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Nigerian singer and rapper Rema, who was paid over $3 million for his performance, were also among the high-profile guests.
The Ambani family has also demonstrated their philanthropic spirit through various initiatives surrounding the wedding. They funded the construction of 14 Shrines in Jamnagar, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage. Additionally, they organized a mass wedding for 50 low-income couples and committed to providing food for around 9,000 people daily over a 40-day period.
To accommodate the high-profile attendees, the Ambani family hired three Falcon Two Thousand jets to transport guests from various locations. Notable attendees included Sri Lankan figures Namal Rajapaksa and Mahela Jayawardene.
The grand wedding festivities, which have set a new benchmark for luxury and generosity, are set to conclude tomorrow. The celebration not only marks the union of Ananth Ambani and Radhika Merchant but also highlights the Ambani family’s significant influence, social standing, and commitment to philanthropy.
