Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), spearheaded by Mukesh Ambani and his family, stands as one of India’s foremost conglomerates. Founded by the visionary Dhirubhai Ambani, RIL has evolved into a global powerhouse with interests spanning petrochemicals, refining, telecommunications, retail, and more. The Ambani family, known for their astute business acumen, commands significant influence in both national and international markets.
Wealth and Holdings
According to Forbes, the Ambani family is the wealthiest in Asia, boasting a staggering net worth of $113.5 billion (approximately Rs 9 lakh crore). Their majority stake of 50.33% in RIL translates into substantial dividends. For the fiscal year 2023-24, dividends alone amounted to Rs 3,322.7 crore.
Mukesh Ambani’s Salary
Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman and Managing Director of RIL, has notably abstained from drawing a salary from the company for the past four fiscal years. This decision, initiated in response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues into FY2024. Despite his pivotal role in steering RIL’s strategic direction, Ambani has opted out of any compensation, including allowances, perquisites, and stock options.
Nita Ambani’s Earnings
Nita Ambani, while previously serving as a non-executive director on RIL’s board until August 2023, earned Rs 2 lakh as a sitting fee and Rs 97 lakh as commission during FY2023-24. Her contributions extend beyond corporate governance, emphasizing her active engagement in philanthropic endeavours through the Reliance Foundation.
Roles and Contributions of Akash, Isha, and Anant Ambani
Mukesh and Nita Ambani’s children—Akash, Isha, and Anant—have assumed integral roles within RIL’s operations:
Akash Ambani
Akash Ambani, armed with an economics degree and a commitment to innovation, serves as the chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited. His leadership has been instrumental in consolidating Jio’s position as a leader in India’s telecommunications sector.
Isha Ambani
Isha Ambani, Akash’s twin sister and a Stanford MBA graduate, plays a multifaceted role across various divisions of RIL. She holds positions on Reliance Retail Ventures Limited and Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited boards and contributes significantly to educational initiatives under the Reliance Foundation.
Anant Ambani
Anant Ambani, leveraging his education from Brown University, has emerged as a director on Jio Platforms Limited, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, Reliance New Energy Limited, and Reliance New Solar Energy Limited. His strategic insights bolster RIL’s endeavours in emerging sectors.
Despite their substantial wealth and influential positions within RIL, Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, and their children refrain from drawing exorbitant salaries from the conglomerate. Instead, their compensation reflects a modest approach aligned with broader corporate governance principles. Their combined efforts steer RIL’s growth trajectory and underscore their commitment to sustainable business practices and societal development initiatives.