PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani
Nickname: Dhirubhai
Profession: Indian Businessman
Date of Birth: 28 December 1932
Age (at the time of death): 69 Years
Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Capricorn
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Vaishya (Gujarati Modh Bania)
Marriage Date: Year 1955
Age: 69 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Bahadur Kanji High School, Junagadh, Gujarat
College: N/A
Educational Qualifications: 10th standard
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters- 168 cm in meters- 1.68 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 6”
Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 80 kg in Pounds- 176 lbs
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Salt and Pepper
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Family: Father – Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani (school teacher) Mother – Jamnaben Brother – Ramaniklal Ambani, Natwarlal Sisters – Trilochana Ben, Jasumatiben
Marital Status: Married
Wife: Kokilaben Ambani
Children: Sons – Mukesh Ambani , Anil Ambani Daughters – Nina Kothari , Dipti Salgaocar
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards/Achievements: • In 1998, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania awarded him “Dean’s Medal.” • In 2000, FICCI named him the “Man of 20th Century.” • In 2016, Government of India awarded him Padma Vibhushan (posthumously).
MONEY FACTOR
Net Worth (approx.): $2.9 billion (as in 2002) ₹18000 crore
OTHER INFORMATION
Place of Birth: Chorvad, Gujarat, India
Date of Death: 6 July 2002
Place of Death: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cause of Death: Stroke
Favourite Colour: White
Death Date: 06/07/2002
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Dhirubhai Ambani, a name synonymous with entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, was born into a modest Modh family in Chorwad, Junagadh city, to parents Jamnaben and Hirachand Gordhanbhai. As the second son in a family where his father worked as a school teacher, Dhirubhai’s early life was rooted in simplicity. However, his venturesome nature began to blossom young; he started his entrepreneurial journey by selling chaat-pakoda to pilgrims visiting Mount Girnar. Despite his undeniable ambition, Dhirubhai’s formal education ended after he completed the 10th standard, a decision that did not deter him from pursuing his dreams.
At the age of 16, in 1955, Dhirubhai made a significant move to Aden, Yemen, to join his elder brother, Ramniklal, who was already working there. It was in Aden that he took his first step into the professional world as a gas station attendant, earning modest wages. His determination saw him later working with A. Besse & Co, where he received a salary of 300 Indian Rupees. After two formative years in Yemen, he returned to Mumbai in 1957, armed with just 500 Rupees, ready to chart his path in the bustling business landscape of India.
In 1960, Dhirubhai co-founded Reliance Commercial, firmly establishing his foothold in the textile industry. He set up his first office in a modest 350 square feet room on Narsinathan Street in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai, equipped with little more than a telephone, two tables, and three chairs. As the years passed, a significant partnership with Champaklal Damani in 1965 came to an end, leading Dhirubhai to pursue the polyester business independently. By 1966, he renamed his firm Reliance Textiles Industries Pvt. Limited and launched a synthetic fabric mill in Naroda, Gujarat. The brand Vimal emerged in 1968, marking the company’s expansion into textiles and establishing a name that would resonate throughout India.
Under Dhirubhai’s leadership, Reliance saw immense growth, including the landmark achievement of issuing its first Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1977, which was spectacularly over-subscribed by seven times. By 1985, the company was officially renamed Reliance Industries Limited, solidifying its position in the market. However, Dhirubhai faced personal challenges when he suffered a stroke in 1986, which paralyzed his right hand. He made the pivotal decision to hand over the reins of Reliance to his sons, Mukesh and Anil Ambani, ensuring the continued legacy of his vision. The company continued to flourish, commissioning the Hazira Petrochemical Plant in Gujarat in 1991-92 and becoming the first private sector company in India to be rated by international credit rating agencies in 1996.
The later years of Dhirubhai’s life were marked by both triumphs and trials. His story was further popularized by an unauthorized biography published in 1998, capturing the essence of his indomitable spirit. Sadly, after suffering a major stroke on June 24, 2002, Dhirubhai was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where he remained in a coma for more than a week before passing away on July 6, 2002. His legacy, however, continues to thrive, with the release of the Hindi film “Guru” on January 12, 2007, a cinematic retelling of his remarkable life, ensuring that the tale of Dhirubhai Ambani and his entrepreneurial journey remains etched in the hearts of many.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
