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If there’s one thing you should know about the Ambanis of India, it’s that they like to go all out.
Take, for example, the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man, and his long-time girlfriend, Radhika Merchant. According to Reuters, the royal wedding is expected to take place in July this year.
The three-day pre-wedding festivities in the city of Jamnagar are expected to be a spectacular affair with lavish events, attended by some of the world’s most renowned personalities, according to Reuters. Rihanna, who was seen arriving in Jamnagar on Thursday, is also expected to perform at one of the events.
Who are Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant?
Anant Ambani, 28, is the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, head of the Indian conglomerate Reliance, and his wife Nita Ambani. Anant, a Brown University graduate, is head of Reliance’s energy businesses, which range from fossil fuels to solar panel manufacturing development. according to BBC news.
On the other hand, Radhika, 29, is the daughter of Viren Merchant, CEO of Encore Healthcare, a renowned pharmaceutical firm. She is a graduate of New York University and works as a director in her father’s company.
The couple got engaged in a traditional ceremony at Anant’s residence in Mumbai in January 2023.
What is Mukesh Ambani’s net worth?
Mukesh Ambani has a net worth of $83.4 billion. according to Forbesmaking him the ninth richest person in the world.
Who is on the guest list?
Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Hilary Clinton, Sundar Pichai, Ivanka Trump and Bob Iger are expected to attend the pre-wedding event. according to The Indian Express along with fellow Indian billionaires Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla. Clinton, who is said to be a long-time friend of the Ambanis, also attended the 2018 wedding festivities of Anant’s sister Isha Ambani, where Beyoncé also performed, according to The Guardian.
Rihanna was spotted arriving in Jamnagar with A$AP Rocky on Thursday afternoon, while Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrived later in the day. Rihanna is also expected to perform at one of the events during the three-day festivities alongside Punjabi music star Diljit Dosanjh and others. according to Reuters.
A galaxy of Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, were also seen in or on their way to Jamnagar.
Breaking down the events
The pre-wedding festivities, ahead of the star-studded weekend, began with the couple and their families hosting a community dinner for around 51,000 residents at a local village, near Reliance Township in Jamnagar. The Hindu reported.
All the family members including the bride and groom served traditional Gujrati food to the local community to seek their blessings. The Hindu reported that food will continue to be served to the local community for the next few days.
Reuters reported that wedding guests over the next few days will enjoy a private performance by Rihanna and illusionist David Blaine, plus a visit to an animal rescue center that houses more than 2,000 animals, including leopards, tigers and jaguars. , and houses. the largest elephant hospital in the world, among other traditional celebrations.
Guests received a planning document, Reuters reported, detailing the events and dress codes. For example, the dress code for visiting the animal center is “‘jungle fever,’ and guests are encouraged to wear animal-print clothing or Hawaiian shirts.”
Guests will also be able to enjoy 500 dishes created by around 100 chefs so they don’t have to eat the same dish twice, hair and makeup artists and return charter flights from the capital New Delhi and the coastal city of Mumbai. For flights, guests were asked to “limit yourself to only two suitcases or three suitcases per couple.”
Rihanna arrived with truckloads of luggage, much of which is believed to be equipment for her show.
Saman Shafiq is a current affairs reporter for USA TODAY. He contacts her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follows her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.