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Meet man once richer than Mukesh Ambani, sold wife's jewellery to pay lawyers after debt, now sons have built business..

Once leading a thriving conglomerate, Anil Ambani saw his fortunes wane as his businesses accrued massive debts, ultimately leading him to declare bankruptcy.

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Meet man once richer than Mukesh Ambani, sold wife's jewellery to pay lawyers after debt, now sons have built business..
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Mukesh Ambani has been India’s richest man for several years, with a net worth exceeding USD 110 billion (Rs 9.1 lakh crore). However, there was a time when his younger brother, Anil Ambani, who inherited half of the Reliance fortune, was wealthier than Mukesh.

Once leading a thriving conglomerate, Anil Ambani saw his fortunes wane as his businesses accrued massive debts, ultimately leading him to declare bankruptcy. 

The sudden passing of Reliance patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani created a rift between Mukesh and Anil, culminating in a significant financial dispute. The USD 15 billion Reliance empire was divided between the two brothers, which initially spurred Anil’s rapid financial ascent.

By 2008, six years after their father's death, Anil Ambani had risen to become the sixth richest person globally, boasting a net worth of USD 42 billion. This surge was driven by the listing of Reliance Power, which made history as the largest initial public offering in India at that time.

However, Anil's meteoric rise was followed by a series of controversies and poor investment choices, leading to his downfall. One notable misstep was a USD 2 billion investment in a deal with South African company MTN, which collapsed and plunged Reliance Communications into debt.

Further complicating matters were financial scandals, substantial loans from Chinese banks, and the competitive entry of Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, which devastated Anil’s telecom business. Over a decade, Anil's net worth plummeted from USD 42 billion to just USD 1.7 billion, while his companies amassed a consolidated debt of over Rs 40,000 crore. In 2020, Anil declared bankruptcy and disclosed that he had to sell his family’s jewellery to pay legal fees.

Amid these challenges, Anil Ambani’s sons, Jai Anmol Ambani and Anshul Ambani, are making significant efforts to revive their father's business empire. With Reliance Capital gaining operational success and Reliance Infrastructure lightening its debt load, Anil is devising a plan with his sons to ensure the company’s recovery. Their primary objectives are to reduce debt and stimulate business growth.

Jai Anmol has independently built a business valued at 2,Rs 000 crore through persistent effort. He and his brother Anshul are actively involved in revitalizing the business through their venture, LimeLight. Their strategy encompasses debt reduction, increased investments, and business expansion.

Under Anil’s guidance, Reliance Power aims to become debt-free by the end of FY25. Progress is underway, with substantial debt restructuring agreements recently made with ICICI, DBS Bank, and Axis Bank. Additionally, Reliance Power secured a ₹132 crore deal with JSW Renewables to sell a 45-megawatt wind power project in Maharashtra, enhancing investor confidence.

The company plans to raise $350 million (Rs 3,000 crore) through Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) to further reduce debt and launch new ventures. Reliance Infrastructure will establish four new companies focusing on manufacturing deals related to fuel transportation and vehicle equipment, aiming to capitalize on sectors with increasing demand.

 

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