The most striking example of Anil Ambani's financial troubles is the collapse of Reliance Communications (RCom). At its peak, RCom was one of India's leading telecom companies, but mounting debts and the fierce competition of India's telecom wars led the company to bankruptcy in 2019.
In February 2020, Ambani was locked in a legal battle with three Chinese banks. He was asked to set aside US$100 million by the court which led him to make the statement that his net worth is currently zero after considering his liabilities.
Journalist Pawan Kumar says, “I think both of these are the reasons. Anil Ambani could not concentrate on his business. He failed in one business and turned to another. Of course, he stepped into every field that could have been profitable, but needed enough cash to run a business, which was not in his hands. ”
Anil's Reliance Communications' market plunged to 2 per cent. The Supreme Court asked Anil to clear the debts he owned to the Swedish telecom major, Ericsson or face a jail term of three months. At that moment, Mukesh Ambani stepped in and cleared the Rs. 453 crore debt and saved his brother, Anil.
ED Freezes Over ₹3,000 Crore Worth of Properties Linked to Anil Ambani's Reliance Group. Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached over eighteen properties, Fixed Deposits, Bank Balance and Shareholding in Unquoted Investments of Reliance Anil Ambani Group worth 1 thousand 120 crore rupees.
Mukesh Ambani saved his younger brother Anil from imprisonment by paying money owed by him to Ericsson.
Anil Ambani still lives in India and is active in government infrastructure and defense projects. His total debt was ₹49,000 crore, but under the IBC process, it was settled for just ₹455 crore. On the other hand, Vijay Mallya's debt was ₹9,000 crore, and the government recovered ₹14,000 crore from him.
India's richest man Mukesh Ambani has paid a debt payment owed by his brother, saving him from spending time in prison. Anil Ambani faced a prison sentence after a deal between his firm Reliance Communications (RCom) and telecoms giant Ericsson collapsed.
As of 2025, Anil Ambani's net worth is estimated between $530 million and $1 billion (₹4,500 – ₹8,300 crore). Most of his remaining assets are linked to family trusts and minority stakes in Reliance Group entities.
While Mukesh and Nita Ambani often make headlines with Antilia and star-studded galas, Anil and Tina Ambani live just as glamorously — but far more privately. The couple resides in a 17-storey mansion in Mumbai's Pali Hill, worth ₹5,000 crore, featuring a helipad, private gyms, and lavish interiors.
The American business magazine Forbes produces a global list of known U.S. dollar billionaires every year and updates an internet version of this list in real time. The American oil magnate John D. Rockefeller became the world's first confirmed billionaire in 1916.
Elon Musk currently stands far ahead of Mukesh Ambani in terms of net worth. Musk's wealth, driven by Tesla, SpaceX, and AI ventures, is estimated at over $230–250 billion, while Ambani's fortune, built through Reliance Industries, stands around $110–120 billion. This puts Musk ahead by a massive $120+ billion margin.
Yes, Anil Ambani did attend the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, one of the most high-profile Indian nuptials in recent years. As the patriarch of the Ambani family and father to the groom, his presence was not only expected but central to the ceremonial proceedings.
Despite facing multiple chronic health issues from a young age — including Cushing's Syndrome, asthma, and morbid obesity — Anant Ambani has continually stressed the power of a positive mindset.
The Ambani empire is worth more than $90.5 billion, a fortune amassed courtesy of Reliance Industries, which owns the world's largest oil refining complex. The dynasty is currently headed by 67-year-old Mukesh Ambani whose father, Dhirubhai, founded the company in 1957.
Making a dramatic intervention, Mukesh Ambani saved his younger brother Anil from imprisonment by paying money owed by him to Ericsson on Monday.
Two corporate giants. Two massive debts. One shocking contrast. While the government recovered ₹14,000 crore from Vijay Mallya against a debt of ₹9,000 crore, the system settled Anil Ambani's ₹49,000-crore debt for just ₹455 crore under the IBC framework.
As the world's biggest gambling hub, Macao SAR has zero debt, bolstered by billions in gaming revenue and healthy financial reserves. Liechtenstein ranks in second, with virtually no debt and the only country in Europe ranking in the top 10.
Americans should be grateful that they are part of a high-growth economy — and vigilant about their high-debt government. More debt increases interest rates, which can eventually undermine growth. Getting growth right is harder than getting your fiscal house in order.
Chinese banks had sued Anil Ambani for unpaid loans worth about $700 million. During the hearing, Anil made a statement that stunned everyone: “My net worth is zero.” He told the court that all his assets were either pledged, sold, or not in his control.
The Road Ahead for Anil Ambani's Comeback
The story of Anil Ambani's Comeback is still unfolding. With growing interest in his companies' investments and a restructuring plan in place, it's possible that the business tycoon will once again lead his group to greater heights.
In a last-minute rescue Monday, Mukesh stepped in to help younger brother Anil pay $80 million in dues to a local unit of Ericsson AB and avert a three-month jail sentence. On the same day, his Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Anil's RCom terminated a 2017 deal that had helped the latter stave off bankruptcy.