Asia’s richest billionaire gives gold to 50 couples

The mass wedding took place on July 2 at the Reliance Corporate Park in Thane City, attended by around 800 family members of the couples, as reported by India Today.

Each couple received gold ornaments, including a mangalsutra (a necklace traditionally tied around the bride’s neck by the groom), wedding rings, and nose rings. They were also given silver ornaments like toe rings and anklets.

Additionally, each bride was presented with a cheque of 1.01 lakh Indian rupees (US$1,200) as her stridhan (a dowry that remains the woman’s exclusive property).

The couples were also provided with groceries and household items sufficient for a year, including 36 essential items, utensils, appliances such as a gas stove, mixer, and fan, as well as a mattress and pillows.

Mukesh Ambani, 67, is the world’s 9th richest man with a net worth of $116 billion, according to Forbes. He is also the richest person in Asia.

His Reliance Industries is a massive conglomerate, reporting over $100 billion in annual revenue, with interests ranging from petrochemicals, and oil and gas to telecoms and retail, according to AP.

The wedding of his youngest son, Anant Ambani, 29, is scheduled for July 12-14. Anant holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and manages the conglomerate’s renewable and green energy expansion.

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