Birthday Special! Mukesh Ambani: Asia's richest man turns 63

Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman turned 63 today. The business-tycoon is a name to reckon with not only in India but the world over.

The elder son of Dhirubhai Ambani and Kokilaben Ambani, Mukesh was born on April 19, 1957, in Aden, Yemen. The RIL Chairman graduated in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT), Matunga in early 1970.

His father Dhirubhai Ambani, a yarn trader, founded Reliance in 1966 as a small textile manufacturer. After his father's death in 2002, he and his younger brother Anil Ambani were locked in a feud for over a decade over the business.

The two brothers split the family businesses with Anil Ambani taking power and telecom and Mukesh Ambani keeping the oil and petrochemical businesses.

Mukesh Ambani is married to Nita Ambani and the couple has two sons; Anant and Akash, and a daughter, Isha.

As of March 2020, Mukesh Ambani is the second richest Asian after Chineese business magnate Jack Ma.

Did you know that growing up Ambani played football and hockey, enjoyed annual trips to villages, and explored the different areas of Bombay. His father cared little about Ambani's grades, but more so about his all-around performance. 

He resides at the Antilia Building, one of the world's most expensive private residences with its value reaching $1 billion.

Mukesh Ambani likes Indian food, Bollywood movies and, naturally, cricket. He loves south Indian cuisine and is a frequent visitor to Mysore Cafe, a popular cafe in central Mumbai that dates back to the 1930s.