Featured Image Credit: Hindustan Times / Contributor/Twitter
Topics: News, World News, Money, Rihanna
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: News, World News, Money, Rihanna
While most couples simply have a rehearsal dinner ahead of their wedding, Mukesh Ambani went above and beyond for his son's big day.
As of 2024, Ambani is thought to have a net worth of around $117 billion - making him India's richest man.
Meanwhile, he's the ninth richest man in the world, according to Forbes.
As to how he made his riches, Ambani runs Reliance Industries, a firm set up by his late father in 1966.
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Initially a small textile manufacturer, the company is multinational conglomerate with businesses ranging in telecoms, energy and retail.
Ambani has three children with his wife Nita: Anant, 28, Akash, 32, and Isha, also 32.
Last weekend marked Anant's pre-wedding, and it's safe to say his father spared no expense.
Celebrities from far and wide flocked to Jamnagar, India, including tech powerhouses, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.
Ivanka Trump was also in attendance, as well as Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan, Ram Charan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
If that wasn't enough, Ambani also hired Rihanna for an exclusive concert - with the mom-of-two reportedly being paid a staggering $6.3 million for the 16-song set.
While she performed some of her best-loved tracks such as 'Diamonds', 'Work' and 'Rude Boy', Rihanna was criticized by some for doing the 'bare minimum' for such a huge amount of money.
The songstress was later seen partying with other guests and twerked the night away.
With the huge amount Ambani paid for Rihanna alone, many have questioned how much the billionaire spent in total - and it was a lot.
According to Daily Mail, the three-day festivities cost $152 million (and that doesn't even include the wedding itself).
His son isn't set to wed his bride, Radhika Merchant, until July 12 and, if their actual nuptials are anything like the pre-wedding, wedding guests will be in for a treat.
In the wake of the reports of how much he spent, Ambani has received some criticism from those who live in poverty near to where the festivities took place.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Usman Ali, 44, shared that he makes just $5 a day selling tea.
"I’ve heard about this wedding party and how much is being spent," he told the news outlet. "But I don’t understand the sums they are talking about because it’s another world for me.
"I can’t even say £120 million, let alone think about it."
But others have come to the multibillionaire's defence saying that what Ambani does with his money 'is his business'.