Mukesh and Nita Ambani Named in TIME100 Philanthropy List for 2025
| 2025-05-21
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Indian philanthropists Mukesh and Nita Ambani featured in TIME’s first-ever philanthropy list for their wide-ranging social impact and major donations in 2024.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, and Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, have been recognised by TIME Magazine for their significant philanthropic contributions across sectors such as education, healthcare, sports, and rural development in India.
TIME described the Ambanis’ charitable work as “as varied and wide-ranging as the business empire that built their wealth,” referencing Reliance Industries’ vast influence in sectors ranging from energy and telecommunications to retail. The couple, whose combined fortune is estimated at around $110 billion, channelled much of their philanthropy through the Reliance Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the conglomerate.
According to TIME, the Ambanis’ initiatives have directly impacted millions across India. Their contributions have included funding scholarships, enhancing school infrastructure, supporting sustainable agricultural practices, improving access to clean water, and constructing hospitals. The Foundation has also worked to assist individuals with vision impairments and promote women’s employment and skill-building.
In 2024 alone, the Ambanis donated Rs 407 crore (approximately $48 million), positioning them among India’s most generous donors, according to the TIME100 Philanthropy List.
Nita Ambani has also been recognised for her contributions to sports development, particularly in promoting female athletes. As owner of the Mumbai Indians cricket franchise in the Indian Premier League and head of the Reliance Foundation’s sports programmes, she has advocated for better facilities and training opportunities for young sportswomen. “Their successes are even more special because of the difficulties women face in pursuing professional sport,” she told TIME.
The TIME100 Philanthropy List was created to honour individuals whose charitable work is shaping global communities. The list was curated under the leadership of TIME editor Ayesha Javed, who noted the growing role of philanthropy amid weakening global institutions and government cutbacks. “In many places, as global institutions are chastened and world governments reverse ambitions, philanthropy is stepping into the void,” Javed wrote in an editorial note.
Other Indian names featured on the list include Azim Premji, former chairman of IT company Wipro, and Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of brokerage firm Zerodha.
Premji was recognised for his long-standing commitment to education. His foundation operates across India and supports over eight million children through partnerships with public schools. The TIME profile noted that Premji has donated over $29 billion to his foundation, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of wealth as a public trust.
Kamath, the youngest Indian to sign the Giving Pledge, was acknowledged for his commitment to climate action and education. Through the Rainmatter Foundation and the Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP), Kamath has supported school digital upgrades and career support programmes. TIME credited him with reshaping philanthropy among India’s younger business leaders.
The TIME100 Philanthropy List also includes a number of international figures such as former footballer David Beckham, media entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey, investor Warren Buffett, singer Dolly Parton, and Prince William of the United Kingdom. Melinda French Gates and Michael Bloomberg were also highlighted for their extensive contributions to public health, education, and gender equality.
CONTEXT:
The TIME100 Philanthropy List marks an expansion of the magazine’s long-standing TIME100 franchise, which has historically focused on influential leaders in politics, culture, and business. With the addition of this new category, TIME aims to spotlight individuals who are using private wealth to address public challenges—especially in areas where governmental and institutional support has weakened.
The inclusion of Mukesh and Nita Ambani reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth individuals in emerging economies, particularly in India, to channel wealth toward systemic social development. Their work mirrors a broader transformation in Indian philanthropy, where business leaders are increasingly taking on public roles in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
By recognising these contributions on a global stage, TIME underscores the role of private donors in driving long-term social change—an area of growing importance in global development discussions.
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