MPW 2025: Nita Ambani says a strong value system and hard work are the keys to a fulfilled life

A strong value system is the foundation of a fulfilled and meaningful life, says Nita Ambani, chairperson, Reliance Foundation. She thanks her parents for instilling the importance of caring, tolerance, hard work, respect for elders, and patience during the formative years. “These values continue to guide me,” Ambani tells Fortune India.

“I come from a large, happy, and humble joint family... We were 11 girls and one boy, and one of the things that shaped my journey is the equality with which we were raised. Sixty years ago, my parents taught us that whatever boys can do, girls can too. That has stayed with me.”

Reliance Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) that was established in 2010, has touched around 76 million lives in over 55,500 villages and urban locations across India, according to RIL’s FY24 annual report. With a CSR spend of `1,592 crore, the foundation focusses on initiatives such as strengthening climate resilience across rural India, building a global-scale sports ecosystem, developing talent at the grassroots, and enhancing women’s livelihoods via entrepreneurship.

Beyond these, Ambani also spearheads various cultural and sporting initiatives, including setting up of the sprawling Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai.

“I would tell every young person to hold on to their faith, and believe in themselves. Keep your family close, surround yourself with people who believe in you and empower you. Dream the biggest dreams and then devote yourself to making them come true. There is no substitute for hard work,” she adds.