Radhika Merchant
Radhika Merchant (born December 18, 1994) is an Indian businesswoman, philanthropist, and classical dancer known for her association with India’s wealthiest Ambani family. She serves as a director on the board of Encore Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company, and is actively engaged in various philanthropic endeavors, spanning animal welfare, civil rights, education, health, human rights, economic empowerment, and social service.
Early Life and Education
Radhika was born on December 18, 1994, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She is from a Gujarati Hindu family with roots in Kutch, Gujarat. She is the daughter of Viren and Shaila Merchant, with her father being the owner and CEO of Encore Healthcare, a pharmaceutical enterprise.
Radhika received her education from Mumbai's Cathedral, John Connon Schools, and Ecole Mondiale World School. She completed her International Baccalaureate diploma from BD Somani International School. Radhika relocated to New York to pursue studies in politics and economics at New York University, graduating in 2017.
Radhika is a trained classical dancer, having completed a Bharatanatyam dance training program under Guru Bhavana Thakar at Shree Nibha Arts Dance Academy in Mumbai. She performed at the Arangetram ceremony at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai in June 2022.
Career
Radhika started her career with a three-month internship with Cedar Consultants in Mumbai, working as a business strategy consultant from June to August 2016. She has also worked with consultant firms, including India First Organization and Desai & Diwanji. Later, she joined the Mumbai-based real estate company Isprava as a junior sales manager.
In 2017, Radhika joined her family business at Encore Healthcare as a director.
Beyond her corporate engagements, Radhika actively participates in philanthropic initiatives and social work. She is notably involved in Encore’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. Additionally, she contributes to various non-profit organizations, facilitating labor and volunteer-driven gift programs.
Personal life
Radhika is engaged to Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, managing director and chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and Nita Ambani, founder of Reliance Foundation. Their pre-wedding festivities, held in March 2024 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, were organized by Mukesh and Nita Ambani, featuring a three-day celebration at the RIL township in Moti Khavdi village.