Their pre-wedding festivities were headline-worthy. One pre-wedding party featuring a performance by Rihanna and the most stunning emerald jewelry wasn't enough: Anant Ambani, the son of India's richest man, and Radhika Merchant, his fiancée, threw two events ahead of their summer nuptials.
In addition to the aforementioned fête, Anant and Radhika, along with a reported 800 guests, celebrated aboard a luxury European cruise in May, stopping in Palmero, Rome, Cannes, and Portofino. According to an invitation obtained by India Today, there will be themed parties including a toga party, a "La Dolce Vita" party, and a "Starry Night" party.
And that was just the pre-wedding parties. Ahead of the main event, here's everything you need to know about Anat Ambani, Radhika Merchant, and their upcoming wedding.
Who is Anant Ambani?
Anant, 29, is the son of Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries and the richest man in India, and Nita Ambani. (Forbes estimates Mukesh's net worth around $114 billion.) He has two siblings, Isha and Akash. Anat attended college in the U.S., at Brown University, and he now runs the energy vertical at Reliance Industries.
Who is Radhika Merchant?
Radhika, also 29, is the daughter of Viren and Shaila Merchant. Viren founded pharmaceutical manufacturer Encore Healthcare. She also went to college in the U.S., studying political science at New York University.
How did they meet?
They met in 2017 through mutual friends. "That first meeting just sparked something special between us, and it wasn’t long before we started dating," Radhika told Vogue. Anat asked Radhika to marry him last year, when they were visiting the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, a holy Hindu site located on the Banas River in northwestern India.
"I am 100 percent the lucky one, there is no doubt about that," Anant said at the first pre-wedding party. "It feels like I met Radhika yesterday, but every day, I fall more and more in love. Like my brother-in-law says, when he used to see my sister, he had volcanoes and fountains going up in his heart. I would say I have earthquakes and tsunamis going on in my heart when I see Radhika."
When are they getting married?
Radhika and Anant will be wed from July 10 to 12, the date determined by auspicious timing according to their birth charts.
Where are they getting married?
They will marry in Mumbai, with events taking place at both the Ambani home and the Jio World Convention Center.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
