The Extravagant Wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant

The younger son of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man, is all set to tie the knot with his fiancée in Mumbai on Friday, marking the grand finale of a months-long celebration that has put the unapologetic Indian billionaire on the global map and showcased the opulence of India’s Gilded Age.

Throughout the year, the elaborate festivities surrounding the marriage of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, daughter of another prominent business magnate, have been making headlines for their extravagant displays of wealth. Millions have been splurged on massive diamonds and emeralds, designer saris, and wedding invitations crafted from silver and gold.

The pre-wedding bash in March witnessed over 1,200 guests, including billionaire businessmen, Bollywood celebrities, models, and politicians. Global icons like Bill Gates made appearances, while Rihanna graced the event with a special performance. In May, the soon-to-be newlyweds hosted a luxurious four-day celebration on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, as they couldn’t find a land-based venue large enough to accommodate all their guests.

This spectacle has provided a peek into the elite circles of India, where a select few individuals and families have amassed staggering fortunes in recent years. Fueled by robust economic growth and government support, the number of Indian billionaires has skyrocketed. These billionaires wield immense power over the Indian economy, controlling telecommunications networks, healthcare facilities, supermarkets, and residential skyscrapers.

A Remarkable Rise in Indian Billionaires

In the year 2000, India had only nine billionaires, as reported by Oxfam. Fast forward to today, India boasts around 200 billionaires, collectively holding approximately $1 trillion in wealth, as per Forbes. This wealth amounts to nearly a quarter of the country’s projected gross domestic product for 2023.