"This special honour recognises Mrs Ambani's expansive philanthropic work in the areas of education, sports, healthcare, rural transformation, urban renewal, disaster response, women empowerment and promotion of the arts. She is the first South Asian to receive this distinguished accolade," Reliance Foundation said in a statement.
Reliance Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited.
"This recognition from a distinguished global institution like The Met is a tribute to our commitment towards sustainable development and social empowerment, and will inspire each one of us at Reliance Foundation to constantly do the best to make the world a better place for the next generation," Ambani said.
"The Met was most impressed by the diversity and scale of the work carried out by Reliance Foundation, led by Mrs Ambani. The direction she gives the Foundation has helped it to focus its work on sustainable urban and rural transformation as well as healthcare, education, grassroots development through sport and women empowerment," the statement said.
Reliance Foundation has benefited over 10 million Indians across more than 10,500 urban areas and villages, it added.