The Ambanis: The Making of a Global Brand

India is already the fastest-growing major economy. Its richest family is its next biggest export.

GettyImages-1246353837 Ambanis
Anand Parimal, Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Radhika Merchant, Anant Ambani, Isha Ambani, Shloka Mehta, and Akash Ambani (from left to right) during Anant’s engagement in Mumbai on January 19, 2023 (Sujit JAISWAL / AFP / Getty Images)

Isha Banerjee

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June 11, 2024

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9 min

“I got married in Italy. Am I saying you copied me by getting married in Italy? Who performed at my wedding? Andrea Bocelli…my favorite male singer of all time, but I’m copying her dolce vita lifestyle?” 

While Kim Kardashian was talking smack about her sister Kourtney, she may as well have been referring to Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s second pre-wedding bash. The Ambani-Merchant festivities included a Bocelli performance and the 1960s Italian theme. Portofino was also where Kourtney tied the knot with Travis Barker. 

The Portofino fête comes three months after the couple’s first pre-wedding in Jamnagar, India, which grabbed global attention because of its billionaire guests and a Rihanna performance. But these aren’t just celebrations for Asia’s richest family, who’ve established their dominance in industries as wide-ranging as telco, retail, sports, and technology. The natural next step? Becoming a global cultural juggernaut — one big fat Indian wedding at a time.

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