Nita Ambani's passion projects in art & culture: NMACC, MET board & more

Billionaire Nita Ambani wears many hats - a businesswoman, sports enthusiast, philanthropist and an educationist. But, her association with art and culture goes a long way.

From making a powerful first impression at the Ambani household to introducing the world to Indian art and culture, her influence has been commendable.

It was her love for dance that brought her and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani together.


In the early ‘80s, the RIL founder Dhirubhai Ambani reportedly first saw his future daughter-in-law, a professional Bharatnatyam dancer, at a cultural event. Impressed with her performance and passion for the art, the late businessman knew the young girl (who was Nita Dalal back then) would easily fit into the family. He dialled up the Dalals immediately to introduce the now happily-married couple. After meeting for several days, cupid struck and Asia's second-richest billionaire proposed to her on a busy street. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Since then, Ambani always made sure she instilled India's rich culture and heritage in her children. She also decided to be a guiding light for her youngest son Anant's fiancee Radhika Merchant. The businesswoman even hosted a grand 'arangetram' for her future daughter-in-law in Mumbai in June this year that was attended by famous personalities of the country. Arangetram, a Tamil word which means 'ascent to the stage’, marks a dancer's graduation to a professional performer on stage. The ceremony is a student's first-ever performance on stage after years of training.

The 59-year-old has for the longest time tried to introduce the world to the art and culture of India.

In 2016, the Reliance Foundation founder and Chairperson decided to support The Metropolitan Museum of Art, after the exhibition of modern Indian artist Nasreen Mohamedi received a positive response in the US. It was the same year when Forbes named her one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia. She is also a member of The Met's International Council.

Later in 2017, the museum honoured Ambani at The Met Winter Party, which celebrates the achievements of individuals who foster diversity and inclusion in the world of art.

Before the pandemic hit in March 2020, Ambani earned a seat on the board of the Met in November 2019 for her commitment to fine arts.

It was Ambani's dream to create a similar space in the country that would represent local art, artists, performers and creators.

This October, her daughter Isha, to honour her mother's love for culture, announced the opening of the cultural space in the heart of Mumbai. Housed within the Jio World Centre, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) promises to be the first-of-its-kind landmark.

With NMACC, the mother-daughter duo plan to showcase the best of what India has to offer to the world.

The philanthropist is the non-executive director of Reliance Industries Limited, which is worth approximately $80 billion. She also became the first woman director on RIL's 14-member board in 2013.