Tech Billionaire Ankur Jain Marries Ex-WWE Star Erika Hammond
Billionaire Ankur Jain is making headlines again—and not for his genius blend of innovation, social impact, and groundbreaking tech ventures.
The tycoon exchanged vows with Erika Hammond, a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler, on Friday, April 26.
Netizens can’t seem to stop talking about the whimsical wedding that had the great pyramids of Egypt as a backdrop. Jain’s family friend, archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, officiated the ceremony.
“We’re New Yorkers and there’s something so special about being in a completely different world environment,” the 34-year-old CEO of Bilt Rewards and Kairos said.
He added, “So we decided, our wedding is about having a moment together to celebrate the new beginning, having a really special party with our friends somewhere where you’re in a different world.”
Thirty-two-year-old Hammond echoed the sentiment, saying “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The wedding was unconventional but not as unconventional as Jain’s first idea, which was to hold it in space. After pitching the concept to Hammond, his then-fiance responded, “I don’t want to die on my wedding day!”
As they began planning the wedding, the couple agreed they were more interested in the experience than traditions. “We’re not traditional wedding people. Why do you have to spend $20,000 on flowers? It doesn’t make sense,” Jain explained.
And so, the two proceeded to have a wedding their way—with no flowers, bridal party, bridesmaids, toasts, or a wedding cake.
But that doesn’t mean it was a cheap affair. The couple spared no expense. Festivities began with a three-day safari in South Africa that cost $2,000 per night.
They also arranged transportation for their guests from South Africa to Cairo where they reportedly hosted a four-day party. Despite careful planning, their 12-hour journey faced an unexpected delay due to intervention by the South African government. This pushed their welcome event back by 3 hours.
On April 24, the couple hosted a modern Cairo-themed welcome reception at the Muhammed Ali Palace. It included a private viewing of the Pyramids and the Sphinx followed by a Met Gala-inspired dinner at the Grand Egyptian Museum, a venue that will only open to the public in late spring this year.
Erika Hammond wore a dazzling embellished gown with a peacock-inspired trail. Rahul Mishra designed the dress while Ajour Consultancy and Louis Diamonds customized her jewelry.
“We had the best time. It was so special. When the fireworks went off, it was one of the most spectacular moments. I was so emotional, I couldn’t even put it into words,” Jain said as he described his wedding night.
The pair’s lavish nuptials drew a star-studded guest list, with the likes of Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary and his wife Linda, Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin, Rick Perry, Robin Thicke and his wife April Love Geary, influencer Serena Kerrigan, and several promising businesspeople.
The two met when the entrepreneur started working out at Rumble Boxing, where Hammond was employed as a fitness instructor.
