The Ambani family, led by Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani, has emerged as the only Indian family in Bloomberg’s 2025 ranking of the world’s 25 richest families, securing the 8th spot. The family’s net worth is estimated at $105.6 billion, consolidating its place among the globe’s most influential business dynasties.
Reliance Industries, the conglomerate at the heart of the Ambani empire, spans sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, telecommunications, and is increasingly investing in digital services and sustainability-driven ventures. The family’s wealth reflects both the company’s market strength and the legacy of business acumen passed down through generations.
Global Wealth Surge Among Elite Families
Bloomberg’s 2025 list reveals that the world’s top 25 families collectively grew $358.7 billion richer in the past year, taking their combined fortune to $2.9 trillion. This expansion is attributed to rising stock valuations, strong demand across diverse sectors ranging from metals to pet food, and the long-standing influence and expertise of family-owned enterprises.
A Legacy Built by Dhirubhai Ambani
Dhirubhai Ambani, father of Mukesh and Anil, began building what would become Reliance Industries in the 1950s. After his passing in 2002 without leaving a will, his widow facilitated a settlement between his sons regarding control of the business. Today, Mukesh Ambani heads the Mumbai-based conglomerate, which boasts the world’s largest oil refining complex. He resides in a 27-story mansion often described as the most expensive private residence globally.
Attendees of third-generation heir Anant Ambani’s lavish 2024 wedding included global personalities like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Ivanka Trump, highlighting the family’s influence on both business and society.
Dhirubhai Ambani laid the foundation of the family’s business empire in 1957 after returning to India from Yemen, where he had worked for several years, and starting a yarn-trading venture. The journey took a decisive turn in 1980 when Mukesh Ambani left Stanford Business School at his father’s request to join the family business and help scale its operations. Over the decades, the Ambani family has sustained its global prominence by strengthening its traditional businesses while steadily expanding into new-age sectors such as digital services and sustainability, reinforcing a legacy built for future generations.
World Richest family
The Walton family of the United States, owners of retail giant Walmart, has topped the global rich list with a combined net worth of $513.4 billion, crossing the half-trillion-dollar mark for the first time. Walmart reported revenue of $681 billion in its latest fiscal year, driven by its vast international footprint of over 10,750 stores worldwide.
Entry into this elite ranking has also become more exclusive, with the minimum wealth requirement rising to $46.4 billion — an increase of $9.7 billion from last year.
