Who is Kokilaben Ambani? Matriarch of India’s Ambani Family

Kokilaben Ambani, 91, is the matriarch of India’s most powerful business dynasty. She is the mother of Mukesh and Anil Ambani and the widow of the legendary industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani. Kokilaben has been a quiet yet influential figure behind the family empire.

On Thursday night, August 21, 2025, she was airlifted to HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai after an emergency, according to Indian media reports.

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Kokilaben was born in 1934 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in a middle-class family. In a rare interview, she said she spent her childhood doing household chores, sewing, and embroidery. Education for girls was limited at the time, and she learned domestic skills expected of young girls.

She married Dhirubhai Ambani at the age of 21. After marriage, the couple moved to Aden, Yemen, where she gave birth to their first son, Mukesh. While her husband became a visionary businessman, Kokilaben was the family’s foundation, managing home and family responsibilities with strength and humility.

Dhirubhai even arranged for an English tutor for her, helping her adapt to expanding social and business circles. She later cited this as a transformative and empowering experience.

Role in the Ambani Family

Kokilaben’s most public role came after Dhirubhai Ambani passed away in 2002. A major dispute arose between Mukesh and Anil Ambani over the family business. Kokilaben successfully mediated the feud.

In June 2005, she announced the resolution of the ownership dispute. The demerger gave Mukesh control of Reliance Industries and IPCL, while Anil gained Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Energy, and Reliance Capital. Her efforts also led to the Anil Ambani group withdrawing a defamation suit against Mukesh worth INR 10,000 crore.

While Mukesh expanded the family business to new heights, Anil faced financial difficulties, including bankruptcy proceedings and debt disputes. Notably, in 2019, a Mumbai court gave Anil one month to pay off debt to Swedish company Ericsson, which Mukesh helped settle.

Philanthropy and Social Contributions

Kokilaben Ambani is widely recognized for her philanthropic work. She is associated with several charitable trusts and projects. One of her most notable contributions is the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility.

She also supports educational and cultural initiatives through trusts established in her husband’s name. Kokilaben continues to be a unifying presence for the Ambani family and a respected figure in Indian society. She frequently attends family gatherings and public events. Her most recent notable appearance was at the Sabyasachi 25th Anniversary Event in January 2025.

Wealth and Holdings

Kokilaben Ambani holds over 31.48 million shares in Reliance Industries, which represents about 0.24% of the company’s total equity.