Akash and Isha Ambani are the twin heirs to a billion-dollar fortune. As the son and daughter of Mukesh Ambani, one of the richest men in the world, they understand the impact of their family’s business and its legacy that now relies on them to ensure it continues.
But how strong is their relationship? And how successful will the 30-year-old siblings be in business together? We take a look at the powerful twins who are the future of the Ambani name.
Nita and Mukesh were married for six years before they welcomed Akash and Isha. In a 2011 interview with iDiva, Nita said she was told by doctors that she would never conceive. However, with the help of another doctor, who was also a close friend, the couple had Isha and Akash through IVF, reports Times of India.Isha said Nita was a full-time mum for the first few years because she wanted to spend as much time with her miracle babies as possible. She later went back to work when the children turned five, according to BollywoodShaadis.
An unbreakable bond
Their aunt, Tina, said she remembered Akash being adorable as a child and referred to Isha as her “naughty daughter in pigtails”, reports NDTV. Through the years, the twins have presented a united front and are often photographed attending Reliance events together.
The wedding change-up
The twins are so close that Akash actually changed his wedding date for his sister. According to Vogue India, the Ambani heiress said that even though Akash got engaged to Shloka Mehta before herself and Anand Piramal, he knew that her big day was important to her and “gave” her his wedding date.
The Ambani heiress also told the publication that her brother is very empathetic and gentle. Isha even said her brother marrying Shloka, who she was childhood friends with, showed that they were sisters born to different mothers.
Choosing the family business
Both Isha and Akash have been heavily involved in the family business for years now. Isha told Vogue India she was most proud of the marketing and branding of Jio, the telecommunications arm of Reliance. She said she wanted to further her parents legacy, and making Reliance become one of the top 10 companies in the world would be a dream come true.
Akash is the a director and head of strategy of Reliance Jio. His is also part of the governing and operating body and, together with Isha, they signed a key US$5.7 billion deal with Facebook.
Breaking out and staying with the parents
Isha moved out of her family home when she got married in December 2018. And although it wasn’t the 27-floor mansion she was used to, the sea-facing bungalow in Worli is still fit for a billion-dollar heiress at 50,000 square feet. Akash, meanwhile, decided to stay at the family residence, Antilia, with his wife and son Prithvi Akash Ambani.
Passion projects
Even though the twins are both invested in Reliance, they have side projects they are also involved in. Akash has a passion for cricket and, with his family owning Indian Premier League team the Mumbai Indians, he has taken a big role in managing the team. One of its famous players, Hardik Pandya, has spoken about Akash and his role with the Mumbai Indians. Pandya told The Cricket Monthly that Akash knows all the cricket stats off the top of his head, makes an effort with all the players and is always at practice matches. Pandya also said if Akash can’t make it to the practice matches in person, he will watch in via video to ensure he knows what is going on.
In an interview with Vogue India, Isha said it was her dream to create a museum in Mumbai and to bring arts shows from all over the world to India. She said art is a way of “recording history, culture and times” and that she wanted to focus on preserving history.