How Mukesh and Anil's father Dhirubhai Ambani started a billion-dollar empire – from selling fried food to founding Asia’s richest family business
Today all eyes are on Mukesh and Nita’s US$77 billion fortune – and brother Anil’s bankruptcy – but neither sibling would be what they are today without the entrepreneurial spirit and learned teachings of Dhirubhai Ambani, the patriarch that paved the way to Reliance Industries’ success
From selling fried food to pilgrims over weekends to being a petrol attendant, the maverick has been credited for changing the business landscape in India. This is the inspirational story of the man who founded Reliance Industries and whose powerful legacy will never be forgotten.
Pursue your goals even in the face of difficulties, and convert adversities into opportunities
Humble beginnings
Born in 1932 in the small village of Chorwad, Gujarat, Ambani Sr lived a simple life. His father was a teacher in a village school. From a young age, Dhirubhai was more interested in how to make money – he bunked school and choose to watch people in the streets sell their goods.
Between my past, the present and the future, there is one common factor: relationship and trust. This is the foundation of our growth
A business mind
Although his mother reprimanded him for skipping school, Dhirubhai was determined to make cash and he began selling bhajias, a fried food, over weekends. He was eventually sent to Yemen when he finished school and joined a transcontinental trading firm as a gas attendant and office clerk. He was promoted and he saved all his money to come back home and start his own business.
True entrepreneurship comes only from risk-taking
The start of an empire
