How the Ambani kids’ upbringing was stricter than you’d expect – Indian billionaire children Isha, Akash and Anant took the bus to school and had 7 US cents for lunch money each day

Dec 1 , 2020

They may be the one of the wealthiest families on earth, but that doesn’t mean the Ambani clan can’t be down to earth at times. Take away the private jets, luxury yachts and custom-made clothes and you’ll find a family that teaches their kids the value of being humble.

Whether limiting their kids to basic pocket money or making them take public transport, here’s how Mukesh and Nita ensured their offspring had a normal-ish kind of childhood.

Pocket money

Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani are not your typical parents. Photo: @mukeshambaniofficial/Instagram

When your dad is making headlines for the billions in his bank account, it’s easy to assume that you’d get a few perks – say a private chef to go to school with you? Except not. Mum Nita says it is critical to be aware of one’s fortune (literally) and so she gave her daughter Isha, and sons Akash and Anant, a mere five Indian rupees (US$0.07 today) to spend at the school canteen – while some other kids got double that.

Homework

Chairman of India's largest private sector firm, Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani in 2010. Photo: AFP

Mukesh used to ditch the boardroom on Sundays to help his children with their homework. Nita ensured he had an impact on the future of his children as well as the family business. She told women’s lifestyle network iDiva, “I told him you may be busy influencing the future of Reliance and the country, but you better influence the future of your kids, too. I believe that it’s not just quality, but also the quantity of time spent with the kids that makes them sound individuals.”

No time off

Isha, daughter of Mukesh and Nita Ambani. Photo: @isha_ambani_official/Instagram

The Tribune India quoted Isha as saying that, growing up, when she and her siblings wanted to skip school to enjoy their wealth, their mum refused, making sure the children studied hard, ate well and had a set bedtime.

Checking in

Nita Ambani, mother of Isha, Akash and Anant. Photo: @nitaambanioffical/Instagram

In an interview with Entertainment Times, Nita has said that she knows where her children are at all times, even now that they’re grown up. With all her family members constantly busy, the Ambani matriarch thinks that it is important to keep track of their whereabouts. She insists they keep her updated on their activities to such an extent that she’ll even know which restaurant they are eating at.

Fitness

When Anant went on a massive weight-loss mission, his mum was his No 1 supporter who made sure he stayed on track, going so far as adopting parts of his diet and exercise routine herself.

Curfews

When the three children wanted to go out as teenagers and even young adults, Isha says they still had to be home by a certain time. Her parents always had a curfew that the children had to adhere to.

Taking public transport

Nita Ambani, mother of Isha, Akash and Anant. Photo: @nita_ambani3/Instagram

Nita also told iDiva that when she was dating Mukesh, he would always pick her up in a fancy Merc. One day, she suggested they take public transport so that he could see how she travelled around town. And her kids, possibly taking cues from their mum, also used public transport while they were at college.

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Mukesh Ambani and family

Nita insisted that Mukesh skip Reliance Industries board meetings to help the kids with their homework on weekends, and instead of riding around in their dad’s Mercedes-Benz, they took the bus