Meet the largest stakeholder in Reliance Industries; not Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, the person is…

Reliance Industries, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani — the richest man in Asia — is the most valued company in India, boasting a market valuation of Rs 16.55 lakh crore, as of December 25, 2024. But did you know who is the largest stakeholder in the oil-to-telecom conglomerate? No, its Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, or any of their three children — Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani, or Isha Ambani.

The largest stakeholder in Reliance Industries is Kokilaben Ambani, the wife of late Dhirubhai Ambani, and mother to Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani, who owns a whopping 1.57 crore shares, which equals to around 0.24% of the company’s total equity.

For comparison Mukesh Ambani owns 0.12% of the conglomerate, and along with his wife, Nita Ambani, and their three children, Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani, and Isha Ambani, owns just 80 lakh shares in the company.

Who is Kokilaben Ambani

Born in a conservative and religious family in Jamnagar, Gujarat on February 24, 1934, Kokilaben Ambani got married to Dhirubhai Ambani in 1955 and has four children — Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Nina Kothari, and Dipti Salgaocar. After her husband’s demise, Kokilaben has become the matriarch of the Ambani family, and commands immense respect from all family members.

Despite the split between the brothers, which also resulted in Dhirubhai’s company being divided, Kokilaben is considered close to both Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani, their spouses, Nita Ambani and Tina Ambani, and all of her grandchildren. Sources close to the Ambani family have described Kokilaben as the guiding light for both her sons and her grandchildren and it is believed that no major decision is taken in the family without her explicit consent.

Her life with Dhirubhai Ambani

Kokilaben has often talked about the fond memories with her late husband. In an interview, she revealed how, despite her being educated in a Gujarati-medium school, Dhirubhai Ambani motivated her to learn English, so she would feel comfortable and confident while interacting with foreign business leaders and dignitaries.

The doting wife revealed how Dhirubhai expanded her horizons and accustomed her to all kinds of international cuisines from Mexican to Chinese, so she would feel at home at any place in the world. “He molded me so well that I would not feel out of place anywhere. I constantly adapted to change.”

Kokilaben net worth

Though there are no publicly available sources about Kokilaben’s wealth, various reports have estimated her net worth to be around Rs 18,000 crore, with the majority of her fortune being attributed to her holding over 1.57 crore shares in Reliance Industries.

Kokilaben, 90, lives with her older son, Mukesh Ambani at his Antilia mansion home in Mumbai, and despite having a commanding presence, shares a loving bond with both her daughter-in-laws, Nita Ambani and Tina Ambani, as well as her grandchildren.

The elegant matriarch of the Ambani family is also famed for her exquisite passion for expensive cars, and reportedly owns a luxury vehicle from every automaker in the world.