Akshata Murty: From Indian Heiress to Britain's First Lady

NexxtGen Markets
May 7
3 min read

Akshata Murty: From Indian Heiress to Britain's First Lady

Akshata Murty, born on April 25, 1980, in Hubli, Karnataka, India, is a British-Indian businesswoman, fashion designer, and venture capitalist. She gained international prominence as the wife of Rishi Sunak, who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 2022 to July 2024.

Early Life and Education

Akshata was raised in a modest household by her parents, N.R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy. Her father co-founded Infosys, a global IT services company, while her mother is a renowned philanthropist and author. Due to her parents' demanding careers, Akshata spent her early years living with her grandparents in Hubli.

She attended Baldwin Girls' High School in Bangalore and later pursued economics and French at Claremont McKenna College in California. Akshata furthered her education by obtaining a diploma in clothes manufacturing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and an MBA from Stanford University, where she met Rishi Sunak.

Career and Ventures

After completing her education, Akshata embarked on a career in fashion and business. In 2007, she joined Tendris, a Dutch clean-tech company, as a marketing director. Two years later, she launched her own fashion label, which she operated until 2012. In 2013, Akshata became a director at Catamaran Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by her father. She co-founded the London branch of Infosys with her husband, Rishi Sunak, transferring her shares to him before he became a Conservative MP in 2015. Akshata holds a 0.93% stake in Infosys, valued at approximately £703 million.

Beyond Infosys, she has investments in various ventures, including Digme Fitness, a boutique fitness studio; Soroco, a digital transformation company co-founded by her brother Rohan Murthy; and restaurant chains such as Wendy's in India and Koro Kids.

Role as First Lady

Akshata Murty became the First Lady of the United Kingdom when her husband, Rishi Sunak, assumed office as Prime Minister in October 2022. During her tenure, she maintained a relatively low profile, focusing on family and supporting her husband's political career. She initiated "Lessons at 10," a program that invited schoolchildren to 10 Downing Street to learn about government and civic engagement.

Wealth and Public Scrutiny

As of 2024, Akshata Murty's estimated net worth is £703 million, primarily derived from her stake in Infosys. Her wealth has been a subject of public interest, especially concerning her tax status. Initially, she held non-domicile status in the UK, allowing her to avoid paying UK tax on foreign income. This arrangement attracted criticism, leading her to voluntarily pay UK tax on her global income in 2022.

Personal Life

Akshata married Rishi Sunak in August 2009, and the couple has two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka. They reside in London and also own properties in North Yorkshire and Santa Monica, California. Despite her wealth, Akshata is known for her down-to-earth lifestyle, often engaging in everyday activities like walking the dog and taking public transport.

Legacy and Impact

Akshata Murty's journey from a modest upbringing to becoming one of the wealthiest women in the UK highlights the influence of education, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Her role as First Lady was marked by a commitment to education and civic engagement, leaving a legacy of promoting public understanding of government processes.

Recent Developments:

Akshata Murty's Wealth: Akshata Murty's estimated net worth is £703 million, primarily from her stake in Infosys.
Tax Status Update: In 2022, Akshata agreed to pay UK tax on her global income, addressing concerns over her previous non-domicile status.
Philanthropic Initiatives: She initiated "Lessons at 10," a program inviting schoolchildren to 10 Downing Street to learn about government and civic engagement.

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