Billionaire boss babe: inside Isha Ambani’s momentous 2022, from bridging the gender gap with her new leadership role at dad Mukesh’s Reliance Industries, to balancing being a new mum to twins

Dec 13 , 2022

Isha Ambani, the daughter of Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani, has had a happening 2022 indeed. Photo: @ambanifamily/Instagram

It’s been a year of bridging the gender gap and making money for Isha Ambani, all while carrying twins – the newest Ambani heirs.

Daughter to Mukesh Ambani, whose net worth sits around US$92.5 billion (per Forbes), Isha has earned the respect of those around her since leading the retail sector for Reliance, bringing in big wins for the company.

Isha Ambani was put in charge of the retail sector of Reliance. Photo: @isha.ambani/Instagram

Her appointment to the leadership of Reliance has certainly elevated her standing in the business world – which is still largely dominated by men.

Here’s how Isha Ambani has juggled her most momentous year yet.

New Reliance generation

Isha, Akash and Anant all have their responsibilities at India’s Reliance Industries, the Ambani family business. Photo: @anantambaniiii/Instagram

Rumours have long since abounded about the Reliance empire’s potential succession plans, and it was in August this year at the Reliance Industries Limited’s 45th annual general meeting that the batons were finally handed over. Mukesh said that Isha, 31, had been appointed as leader of Reliance’s group retail business, while her twin brother Akash was appointed as Reliance Jio’s non-executive director and chairman of the board of directors.

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Isha (far right), Anant (far left) and Akash Ambani (centre), pictured here with other members of the Ambani family, have a huge legacy ahead of them. Photo: @ambanifamily/Instagram

Hindustan Times reported that Anant, Isha and Akash’s younger brother, would be leading a new energy sector at Reliance. This puts the new generation of Ambanis at the helm of the billion-dollar business.

Breaking barriers

Isha, Akash and Anant Ambani are set to lead in their father’s footsteps. Photo: @isha.ambani/Instagram

Isha has been vocal about being treated as an equal to her two brothers. The succession plan by Mukesh has laid the foundation for Isha to not only lead the business, but also uplift women across India. BBC reported that Isha was always groomed to be part of the Reliance leadership, previously working at consulting giant McKinsey.

Her inclusion signals an important mindset shift, particularly around gender lines in India, where many traditions remain that put men at the forefront of the business world.

Setting the tone

Isha Ambani speaks via live-stream during the Reliance Industries Ltd. annual general meeting in Mumbai, India, on August 29. Photo: Bloomberg

After taking the helm of the Reliance retail arm, Isha immediately set the tone for what was to come: growth, market dominance and money. Hindustan Times reported Reliance announced its first in-house premium fashion and lifestyle store in September. Called Azorte, the store is set to compete with the likes of Mango and Zara, specifically targeting millennials and Gen Z buyers.

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Akash and Isha Ambani signed a key agreement with Facebook. Photo: @ndtv/Twitter

The company plans to build 50 to 60 grocery, household and personal care brands within a year and is in talks to get the rights for Sephora into India.

Her motherhood journey

Isha Ambani is married to Anand Piramal. Photo: @isha.ambhani/Instagram

As Isha faced her biggest career move yet, she also embarked on a major life transition after it was confirmed she and her husband Anand Piramal had welcomed twins on November 19. Outlook India reported that a statement was released by the Ambani family confirming the birth of the twins. The baby girl was named Aadiya and the boy Krishna.

The wedding between Anand Piramal and Isha Ambani. Photo: @WforWoman/Twitter

The couple got married in a star-studded wedding in December 2018 and, although the Ambani family has always been well-known in India, many fans traced the start of the cultlike obsession around the Ambani family back to Isha’s wedding. Over the years, there has been a particular interest in her relationship with Piramal, with much speculation on whether she was pregnant or not.

Nita Ambani (right) and her daughter, Isha Ambani. Photo: @ambanifamily/Instagram

Although she hid her baby bump for the most part, Isha’s juggling of motherhood with the Reliance powerhouse will be eagerly observed by fans, women and the business world alike. Isha herself has commented on her own mother Nita being home until she and Akash, her twin, were five years old, according to India Times.

The same source reported Isha describing her mum as a “tiger mum”, despite the fact that she was back at work.

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Mukesh Ambani and family

Mukesh Ambani announced the new generation of Reliance Industries with Isha as the head of retail, Akash as Reliance Jio’s non-executive director and Anant leading a new energy sector
Isha is involved in launching Reliance’s first in-house premium fashion and lifestyle store Azorte, that’s set to compete with brands like Mango and Zara – but she’s also busy as a new mum