Asia’s wealthiest billionaire Ambani heir celebrates $600M wedding, eclipsing several royal families’s nuptials

Anant Ambani (L), son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and his wife Radhika Merchant. Photo from Instagram/loveleen_makeupandhair

The Guardian reported that estimates indicate the cost of Anant and Radhika’s wedding festivities— beginning with a three-day pre-wedding event in March in the Ambanis’ home state of Gujarat and concluding with the official wedding in July—could even exceed the figure.

This expenditure is 14 times greater than the US$43.2 million spent on the 2018 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and former American actress Meghan Markle, as reported by CNBC.

It also exceeded the US$48 million expense of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s 1981 wedding, now estimated to be around US$163 million in today’s dollars, according to the South China Morning Post.

Additionally, it surpassed the US$45 million cost of the 1979 wedding between Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, now valued at approximately US$137 million.

Noteworthy expenses for Anant and Radhika’s wedding included US$6 million paid to Barbarian R&B singer Rihanna for a performance at their March pre-wedding celebration, US$150 million for a wedding cruise from Italy to the South of France in May, and US$10 million for a performance by American pop singer Justin Bieber during the July festivities in Mumbai.

Anant, 28, is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, who leads the Reliance Industries conglomerate with annual revenues of US$110 billion.

As of July 16, Forbes ranks Mukesh Ambani’s net worth at US$122 billion, positioning him as the richest person in Asia and the 11th wealthiest globally.

Radhika, 29, is the daughter of Shri Viren Merchant, the CEO of the notable Indian healthcare company Encore Healthcare.

Both Anant and Radhika received their education at universities in the U.S.

Their grand wedding ceremony was held at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre from July 12 to 14, attended by prominent figures such as former U.K. Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, American stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and Samsung Electronics’ chairman Jay Lee.

Reuters reported that Rajan Mehra, CEO of air charter company Club One Air, disclosed that the Ambanis hired three Falcon-2000 jets from his company for transporting guests, with over 100 private planes anticipated to be used for the event.

The grandeur was also reflected in the wedding venue’s extravagant decorations and the bespoke outfits of the bride and groom, created by renowned fashion designers.