Mukesh Ambani Draws ₹0 Salary for Fifth Straight Year, Family Earnings Still in Crores

Mukesh Ambani has gone five years without drawing a salary from Reliance Industries—handing over that role to dividends alone. Despite this continued abstinence, the Ambani family remains one of India’s highest-earning households. Their income comes primarily from dividends tied to their massive shareholding, even as senior executives in the company draw substantial pay packages.

Why the Salary Foregoing Matters
Ambani first declined a salary in 2020 amid pandemic-related financial challenges. His gesture—initially a response to broader economic uncertainty—has since become a sustained practice. Between FY2008–09 and FY2019–20, he capped his pay at ₹15 crore, before opting for nil compensation from FY2021 onward.

How He Earns Without a Paycheck
Without drawing a salary, Ambani earns through dividends from Reliance shares. Directly holding 1.61 crore shares, he earned around ₹8.85 crore from dividends in FY2024–25. Through promoter group entities holding over 50% of the company, the total dividend haul jumps to a whopping ₹3,600 crore.

Contrast With Company Executives
While Ambani earns only from dividends, other top Reliance executives continue receiving hefty pay. His cousins Nikhil and Hital Meswani each took home about ₹25 crore, including salary, benefits, and commission. Executive director PMS Prasad received nearly ₹20 crore. Ambani’s children, who serve as non-executive board members, earned around ₹2.3 crore each.

Why Tier-2 City Investors Should Care
Even beyond metro headlines, this reflects a broader lesson in corporate governance. Investors from smaller towns like Indore, Jaipur, or Kochi watching RIL closely may find a sense of steadiness in dividend income when salaries fluctuate. It also emphasizes the importance of long-term holdings over short-term pay schemes.

Conclusion
Mukesh Ambani’s zero-salary streak is more than symbolic—it defines a leadership choice focused on broader economic messaging. Meanwhile, dividend income ensures the Ambani family’s financial strength remains solid. For the average investor, especially those outside major cities, it serves as a reminder: true wealth often comes from holding strong assets, not just high pay