In India’s corporate, cultural, and philanthropic landscape, few names command the respect and recognition that Nita Ambani does. While most know her as the wife of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and the Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, there’s so much more to her than what meets the public eye. Nita Ambani’s journey is a tale of grace, grit, and ground-breaking vision.
She has consistently featured on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women list for six consecutive years, ranked #2 in 2025, 2024, 2023, #1 in 2022 and 2020, and #2 again in 2021. But what many don’t know is that behind the title lies a deeply passionate woman who has reshaped philanthropy, education, healthcare, sports, and culture in India.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through some surprising and lesser-known facts about Nita Ambani, the woman beyond the headline:
Nita Ambani Started Her Career as a School Teacher
Long before the fame and headlines, Nita Ambani was a school teacher. She started her professional journey at Mumbai’s Sunflower Nursery School, earning just ₹800 per month. Her passion for teaching has never faded.
In fact, her early experience in education played a major role in shaping her later initiatives through Reliance Foundation. She once said in an interview, “I’ve always believed education is the biggest equalizer.”
Nita Ambani’s unwavering commitment eventually led to the founding of Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) in 2003, today ranked among India’s top international schools. DAIS has become a platform that nurtures not just elite students but also scholarships for underprivileged children.
She Is a Trained Bharatnatyam Dancer
Very few people associate Nita Ambani with the arts, but she’s a formally trained Bharatnatyam dancer. Dance played a major role in her upbringing and gave her the discipline and presence she is known for today.
Nita Ambani’s Heartwarming Performance At Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
Even as a business leader, she brings the elegance and expression of classical dance into her public speaking and persona. Nita Ambani’s love for Indian traditions and cultural arts has also influenced her philanthropic focus, supporting Indian crafts, temples, and folk arts.
Her Love for Indian Handlooms Reflects in Her Fashion Choices
While she is often seen in high-end designer wear, many are unaware that Nita Ambani is a strong promoter of Indian handlooms. She frequently supports Banarasi weaves, Paithanis, and Kanjeevarams, and promotes artisans through the Swadesh initiative by Reliance.
Swadesh, which focuses on reviving and promoting Indian crafts globally, is a passion project for Nita Ambani, who believes that “our crafts are our soft power.”
She Is the Brain Behind the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre(NMACC)
Opened in 2023, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai is one of India’s biggest spaces for performance arts, exhibitions, and cultural heritage. Designed as a world-class venue, NMACC is her dream project to preserve and showcase India’s diverse artistic traditions.
She envisioned NMACC not just as a luxury venue, but as a platform to democratize access to culture, especially for young and underprivileged artists.
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First Indian Woman on the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
In 2016, Nita Ambani became the first Indian woman to be elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This marked a significant moment not just for her but for Indian sports on a global stage (source).
Nita Ambani’s election came after years of involvement with sports promotion in India, especially through the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports initiative. Under her leadership, the program has reached over 21 million children across 13,000+ schools, fostering talent at the grassroots level.
We all know about her work with the Mumbai Indians IPL team, owned by Reliance Industries. She has also transformed the franchise into one of the most successful and professionally managed teams globally.
She Is Deeply Involved in Rural Women Empowerment
One of the lesser-highlighted aspects of Nita Ambani’s philanthropy is her consistent work in empowering rural women. Through the Reliance Foundation’s rural transformation programs, over 1.6 million women have been supported with training, microfinancing, and digital tools.
She believes that real change happens when women are empowered to lead in their own communities. Nita’s programs focus on water conservation, organic farming, and livelihood generation, all led by women.
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Her Office Is Known for Hiring More Women Than Men
In a country where boardrooms are still male-dominated, Nita Ambani’s leadership style is inclusive and women-forward. At Reliance Foundation, women make up more than 60% of the staff, a conscious decision to create more opportunities for women in leadership and implementation roles.
She has also promoted maternity benefits, crèche facilities, and skill-training programs to ensure working mothers stay in the workforce.
Her Philanthropy Has Global Recognition
Nita Ambani’s work isn’t limited to India. In 2019, she was named among the top philanthropists in Asia by Forbes, and she continues to work with global bodies on education, child welfare, and healthcare.
Under her leadership, the Reliance Foundation has touched the lives of over 72 million Indians across 20,000+ villages and urban areas.
Whether it’s helping a tribal community access clean drinking water or launching a state-of-the-art sports training program, Nita Ambani’s philanthropy is guided by empathy and execution.
Conclusion: The Real Power Behind the Name!
Nita Ambani may be one of the most photographed and followed women in India, but behind the public image lies a leader with vision, compassion, and tenacity. Her consistent presence in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women rankings is not just due to her title, but because of her actions that impact lives daily, from classrooms in rural India to global Olympic boardrooms.
While she remains understated in her public persona, Nita Ambani’s legacy is quietly being built, one initiative, one woman, one village at a time.
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