Anant Ambani: The Green Business Heir And Animal Advocate With A Golden Heart

Anant Ambani, the youngest scion of the Ambani legacy, is a unique blend of ambition, compassion, and resilience. Anant's journey has captured both the business world and the public eye, with his love for animals and his innovative role in Reliance’s next-generation ventures. From a challenging health voyage of severe asthma to his grit and transformational involvement in Reliance's green energy vision, Anant’s story is one of personal evolution and sustainable drive.

While he may be the youngest of the Ambani siblings, his dedication to environmental causes and his growing influence in the business world make him a force to be reckoned with. Through his vision for a sustainable future, Anant, through his leadership, has turned Reliance’s New Energy towards a greener future, aligning with India’s environmental goals.

As a key figure in Reliance Industries, he's not just a beneficiary of a family legacy but an active participant in shaping its future. With a heart as vast as the wilderness he champions, Anant Ambani is emerging as a unique voice in the world of business and philanthropy.

In this StartupTalky story, let us learn about Anant Ambani's ambitious vision for animal shelter and renewable energy, his personal life, education, and philanthropy reflecting both a deep-rooted legacy and an innovative future. 

Anant Ambani: Biography

Anant Ambani: Early Life and Education
Anant Ambani: Career
Anant Ambani: Personal Life
Anant Ambani: Philanthropy
Anant Ambani: Criticism & Controversies
Anant Ambani: Awards And Recognition

Anant Ambani: Early Life and Education

Anant Ambani is the youngest born to business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani on April 10, 1995. He is the youngest of three siblings, the elder sister Isha Ambani, and brother Akash Ambani. Raised in one of India's wealthiest families, Anant’s upbringing is marked by privilege, responsibility, and spirituality, as he was introduced to the foundations of his family’s vast business empire early on.

Anant attended Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. After completing his primary and secondary education here, he went on to pursue higher studies in the United States, attending Brown University in Rhode Island. 

Anant’s early life involved many health challenges, as he struggled with chronic asthma. This led to a noticeable weight gain due to the heavy antibiotics, steroids, and other medications. 

Anant Ambani: Career

After graduating from Brown University in the USA, Anant returned to India and joined Reliance Industries in 2019. Initially, Anant worked alongside his siblings Akash and Isha under the mentorship of their father. By 2022, Anant was chosen as Director of Boards for Jio Platforms Limited, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, Reliance Industries, and Reliance Foundation. 

In 2021, Anant was entrusted with overseeing Reliance’s ventures into solar energy, hydrogen production, and battery technology. In 2022, under Anant’s leadership and innovative ideas, Reliance New Energy diversified to ‘Green Hydrogen Fuel’ as a clean energy source. He played a crucial role in setting up giga factories for solar panel production, battery manufacturing, and fuel cell research in Gujarat. In 2023, Anant was appointed the Director of Boards for Reliance New Energy Limited. 

Under Anant's influence, the company has embarked on several initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. His strategic insights and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in driving Reliance's expansion into emerging markets, further solidifying its position as a global leader.

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Anant Ambani: Personal Life

Anant Ambani was married to Radhika Merchant, daughter of Viren Merchant and Shaila Viren Merchant, on 12th July 2024. Theirs was the third grand wedding in India, with celebrations lasting for seven months. The wedding festivities were split between Gujarat and Mumbai and were one of the most talked-about events, attended by global celebrities, business tycoons, and political figures. 

In March 2024, Anant and Radhika’s pre-wedding festivities took place in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The grand three-day celebration was held at RIL township in Moti Khavdi Village, sparkled by Hollywood artists like Rihanna and magician David Blaine.

Anant is known to be passionate about sports, particularly cricket, and supports multiple domestic and international cricket events through the Reliance Foundation. He also plays a key role in managing the IPL’s Mumbai Indians cricket team, owned by the Ambani family. He often attends matches and is actively involved in the strategic management of the team alongside his mother, Nita Ambani.

Anant has a penchant for luxury watches and has a massive collection that includes some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and Richard Mille. Despite being the son of India’s richest man and being a billionaire himself, Anant is a spiritual, humble, and grounded person with a strong focus on family and legacy. 

Anant Ambani: Philanthropy

Anant is involved in various philanthropic initiatives through the Reliance Foundation, led by his mother, Nita Ambani. He is specifically passionate about animal welfare and has established ‘Vantara’, a 3000-acre animal rescue center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, a project very close to Anant’s heart. Due to his profound knowledge and interest in wildlife conservation, Anant is recognized as the ‘walking encyclopedia of animals.’ 

Through ‘Vantara’, Anant aims to rehabilitate abused and endangered animals by providing advanced healthcare facilities, research centers, and academic institutions. Under Anant’s vision to protect animals, Vantara has collaborated with organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).

To lay emphasis on education for all, Anant supports many education-related programs held by the Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. Under this initiative, the school offers scholarships to underprivileged children and emphasizes holistic development alongside academic excellence. 

During COVID, Anant Ambani was actively involved in Reliance’s extensive relief efforts to set up India’s first dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai. This helped the frontline workers with PPE kits and provided the latest medical equipment to help the public. 

Anant is known for his deep spiritual beliefs and makes massive donations to various temples in India. He has been seen making pilgrimages and participating in various religious ceremonies. Anant has recently donated a 20-kilogram gold crown worth $150 million to Mumbai's famous Lalbaug Cha Raja Ganpati under the Reliance Foundation. 

Apart from this, Anant’s wife, Radhika, who is also a trained classical dancer, is also engaged in promoting art for underprivileged individuals and other social impact ventures. Anant and Radhika’s role as philanthropists emphasizes on their commitment to bringing a positive change in society and uplifting underprivileged societies. 

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Anant Ambani: Criticism & Controversies

Anant Ambani has on most occasions maintained a low-profile public image; however, given the fame of the Ambani family, he has occasionally been brought to the spotlight in negative form. 

1. Weight Loss Journey: Anant has faced a lot of criticism on his weight. In 2016, when he underwent a major weight loss transformation, it did attract a lot of media coverage. While his journey was largely praised, many raised questions about the extreme measures and medical treatments that were taken. 

2. Wedding with Radhika Merchant: Anant and Radhika’s wedding also faced a lot of criticism and social media discussions on the opulence associated with the Ambani family. The spark arose when, during the wedding festivities, Jio increased their call rates and data charges. 

3. Concerns About Alleged Privilege in the Business Sphere: As Anant prepares to take on a larger role in Reliance’s New Energy sector, some critics have speculated about his potential influence given the Ambani family’s impact on Indian business and policy. 

Anant Ambani: Awards And Recognition

Anant Ambani has been awarded with the following awards:

• Honorary Membership of Lalbaug Cha Raja Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal. 
• Member of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, appointed by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat in March 2019. 

FAQs

Who is Anant Ambani?

Anant Ambani is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, one of India's largest conglomerates. Known for his role within the family business, Anant is gradually taking on responsibilities in various sectors of Reliance Industries, particularly focusing on the group’s newer ventures, like clean energy and green technology.

Who is Anant Ambani wife?

Radhika Merchant is the wife of Anant Ambani. They got married in a lavish ceremony held from July 12 to July 14, 2024.

What is Anant Ambani education?

Anant Ambani finished his schooling at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. He then went on to study at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island, USA.