The bride, Isha Ambani, is
the Ivy League-educated daughter of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, thought
to be India’s richest man. Forbes estimates his net worth at over $43
billion.
The groom, Anand Piramal, is the relative pauper. His father, industrialist Ajay Piramal, is thought to be worth $10 billion.
The wedding is being held in Mumbai on Wednesday but festivities began
weeks ago, starting in September with an engagement party at a lakeside
Italian palace. Over the weekend, thousands attended pre-wedding parties
at a 16th century palace in the Indian desert city of Udaipur, where
videos shot by partiers showed Hillary Clinton dancing with Shah Rukh
Khan, one of India’s biggest movie stars, as former U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry danced just a few feet away.
A highlight was a
performance by Beyonce, who sang “Crazy In Love,” among other hits, with
a band backing her up and a series of costume changes that included at
least one India-inspired outfit.