The Ambani family name is associated with Reliance Industries, founded in India by Dhirubhai Ambani in 1966.
Dhirubhai Ambani began building the business after returning to India from Aden, where he had worked as a trader. Reliance Commercial Corporation started as a small trading venture, later moving into textiles and manufacturing. Reliance Textile Industries was incorporated in 1973, and the company expanded through petrochemicals, refining, telecommunications, retail and digital services.
After Dhirubhai Ambani’s death in 2002, his sons Mukesh and Anil Ambani divided the family’s business interests. Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries, while Anil received several other assets that were later reorganized. Reliance Industries subsequently developed major oil-refining, petrochemical, retail and telecommunications operations.
Reliance is sometimes confused with the separate Aditya Birla Group or Tata Group, both major Indian conglomerates. Its family connection is specifically the Ambani family, named after founder Dhirubhai Ambani.