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Mukesh Ambani
Mukesh Ambani.jpg
Ambani in 2007
Born
Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani

(1957-04-19) 19 April 1957 (age 68)
Aden, Colony of Aden
(present-day Yemen)
Nationality Indian
Alma mater
  • St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
  • Institute of Chemical Technology (B.E.)
Occupation Businessman
Years active 1981–present
Organization Reliance Industries
Title Chairman and MD of Reliance Industries
Spouse(s)
(m. 1985)
Children 3
Parent(s)
Relatives Anil Ambani (brother)
Tina Ambani (sister-in-law)

Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, born on April 19, 1957, is a famous Indian businessman. He is the chairman and managing director of a very large company called Reliance Industries. He is known as one of the richest people in Asia and among the wealthiest in the world.

In October 2024, Forbes magazine listed him as the richest person in India. His wealth was estimated at $119.5 billion, showing his success in business.

Early Life and Family

Mukesh Ambani was born in Aden, which is now part of Yemen. His family is Gujarati Hindu. His parents were Dhirubhai Ambani and Kokilaben Ambani. He has a younger brother, Anil Ambani, and two sisters.

When Mukesh was young, his father moved the family back to India in 1958. His father started a business that sold spices and textiles. For many years, the family lived in a small apartment in Mumbai. Even as their family's money improved, Mukesh used public transport and did not get an allowance. Later, his father bought a large apartment building where Mukesh and his brother lived with their families.

Education and Learning

Mukesh Ambani went to Hill Grange High School in Mumbai. His brother and a close friend, Anand Jain, also went there. After high school, he studied at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He then earned a degree in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology.

He started studying for a master's degree in business at Stanford University in the United States. However, he left in 1980 to help his father with Reliance. At that time, Reliance was growing quickly. His father believed that real-world experience was more important than classroom learning. So, he asked Mukesh to come back to India to work on a project for the company.

Mukesh Ambani was inspired by his teachers, William F. Sharpe and Man Mohan Sharma. He said they taught him to "think out of the box."

Business Career and Achievements

Mukesh Ambani has led many big projects for Reliance Industries. He helped create Reliance Infocomm Limited, which focused on information and communication technology. When he was only 24, he was in charge of building a large petrochemical plant.

He also led the creation of one of the world's largest oil refineries in Jamnagar, India. This refinery can produce a huge amount of oil every day. It also includes facilities for chemicals, power, and a port. In 2013, he talked about working with another company to build a 4G network in India. In 2014, he announced plans to invest a lot of money in businesses and launch 4G services.

ClintonTataAmbani
Secretary Clinton meets with India's business leaders. From left to right: Ratan Tata, Charmain of the Tata Group; Secretary Clinton; Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries.

In 2016, Mukesh Ambani became a member of the National Academy of Engineering in the U.S. This was for his leadership in oil refineries and chemical industries.

He is also known for his charitable work. As of 2015, he was among India's top philanthropists. He was also the first non-American to join the board of Bank of America. For many years, he has been listed as India's richest person by Forbes magazine. He is also the only Indian businessman on Forbes' list of the world's most powerful people. In 2018, he became Asia's richest person.

Through Reliance, Mukesh Ambani owns the Indian Premier League cricket team, Mumbai Indians. He also started the Indian Super League, which is a football league in India.

Awards and Honors

Mukesh Ambani has received many awards for his business leadership.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event to give away The Economic Times Award for Corporate Excellence to Shri Mukesh Ambani, in Mumbai
Vice President Venkiah Naidu gives The Economic Times Award for Corporate Excellence to Shri Mukesh Ambani.
Year of Award or Honor Name of Award or Honor Awarding Organization
2000 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Ernst & Young India
2010 Global Vision Award at The Awards Dinner Asia Society
2010 School of Engineering and Applied Science Dean's Medal University of Pennsylvania
2010 ranked 5th-best performing global CEO Harvard Business Review
2010 Global Leadership Award Business Council for International Understanding
2016 Foreign associate, U.S. National Academy of Engineering National Academy of Engineering
2016 Othmer Gold Medal Chemical Heritage Foundation

Personal Life

Mukesh Ambani married Nita Ambani in 1985. They have three children: two sons, Akash and Anant, and a daughter, Isha. Isha is Akash's twin. Mukesh's father met Nita at a dance performance and suggested they get married.

Ambani Family at reception of Deepika and Ranveer 2018
The Ambani family at the reception of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in 2018
Mukesh Ambani attending the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Gala on Day 2
Mukesh Ambani attending the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Gala on Day 2

The family lives in a very large private building in Mumbai called Antilia. It has 27 floors and was one of the most expensive private homes when it was built. The building has many special features, including a large garage, a private movie theater, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. It needs a staff of 600 people to maintain it.

Mukesh Ambani is a strict vegetarian.

In 2008, he became "The World's Richest Sports Team Owner" when he bought the Indian Premier League cricket team, Mumbai Indians.

In 2019, Mukesh Ambani helped his younger brother, Anil Ambani, by paying a debt his brother's company owed. This prevented Anil from facing serious legal trouble.

In 2024, his son Anant Ambani had a wedding that was described as "India's own royal wedding." It was a very large and grand event.

Mukesh Ambani recently bought a Boeing 737 Max 9 airplane. This makes him the first private owner of this type of aircraft in India. The plane will be used by his family for long-distance travel.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mukesh Ambani para niños

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