Sudha Murthy Biography | Complete details 2026

Sudha Murthy is one of India’s most beloved authors, a pioneering engineer, a transformative philanthropist, and a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. Born in a small Karnataka town in 1950, she broke gender barriers at TATA Motors at 23, provided the seed capital that helped launch Infosys, wrote over 40 books that have sold 6 million copies worldwide, and built one of India’s most impactful charitable foundations.

In 2026, she continues to be one of the most searched and respected public figures in India.

Quick Facts – Sudha Murthy Biography

Early Life and Education

Sudha Murty was born on 19 August 1950 in Shiggaon, Haveri district, in what was then Mysore State (now Karnataka). Her father R. H. Kulkarni was a surgeon and her mother Vimala Kulkarni was a schoolteacher — an educated family that encouraged her early.

She excelled in academics throughout. She earned her BE in Electrical Engineering from B.V.B College of Engineering, Hubli, graduating with a gold medal. She then went to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, earning her ME in Computer Science in 1974 — again topping the exams and receiving a gold medal presented by the then Karnataka Chief Minister.

She was brilliant, she had two gold medals, and she was a woman in 1974 India — a combination that would soon lead to a defining moment in her life.

Career

Breaking Into TATA (TELCO) — Against the Rules

When Sudha applied to TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO) — now Tata Motors — she saw their advertisement stated: “Lady candidates need not apply.”

She wrote a postcard directly to the Chairman of TATA, challenging the policy as discriminatory. The letter worked. TATA not only responded but removed the no-women hiring policy and called her for an interview.

She was hired as a Development Engineer — the first woman engineer at TELCO. She worked across Pune, Mumbai, and Jamshedpur. This act of writing one postcard changed hiring policy at one of India’s largest companies and opened the door for women in Indian engineering.

She later worked as Senior Systems Analyst at the Walchand Group of Industries, Pune.

The ₹10,000 That Built Infosys

In 1981, her husband Narayana Murthy wanted to start a company. He needed seed money. Sudha gave him ₹10,000 from her savings — all she had. That money became the founding capital of Infosys, which went on to become one of India’s most valuable companies.

“I told him, ‘I will be the breadwinner for the family for three years. You build your company.'”

Infosys Foundation (1996)

In 1996, Sudha founded the Infosys Foundation, a non-profit that over nearly 25 years spent over ₹450 crore on:

• 70,000+ school libraries across India
• ₹50+ crore donated to expand hospital capacity
• 16,000 public toilets built for sanitation
• Long-term work with 3,000 rehabilitated sex workers across 18 years

She retired as Chairperson of the Foundation in 2020.

Rajya Sabha MP (2024)

On 8 March 2024 (International Women’s Day), President Droupadi Murmu nominated Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha — the Upper House of India’s Parliament. She became the 12th nominated member and the 3rd woman among nominated members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the nomination as a “testament to Nari Shakti.”

Sudha herself clarified: “I don’t think that I could consider myself as a politician. I’m a nominated Rajya Sabha member.”

In March 2026, she made news by raising the demand for an AIIMS hospital in Karnataka’s Raichur district during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

Books — Over 40 Titles, 6 Million Copies Sold

Sudha Murty has written over 40 books across genres:

Most famous works:
– Wise & Otherwise (1995)
– How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (2002)
– The Old Man and His God (2006)
– Three Thousand Stitches (2011)
– Dollar Bahu
– Grandma’s Bag of Stories
– Gopi Diaries series

Her books have been translated into all major Indian languages and several international languages including French, German, and Spanish. Over 6 million copies sold globally. Her writing is known for its simplicity, warmth, and moral clarity.

Personal Life — Family

Sudha married N. R. Narayana Murthy on 10 February 1978. They have two children:

Akshata Murty (born 25 April 1980) — fashion designer and venture capitalist. She married Rishi Sunak in 2009. Sunak served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2022–2024), making Sudha Murty the mother-in-law of a British Prime Minister. Akshata and Rishi have two daughters — Krishna (born 2011) and Anoushka (born 2013).

Rohan Murty — computer scientist and founder of enterprise software company Soroco. Married to Aparna Krishnan. Their son Ekagrah was born in November 2023.

Despite a net worth of ₹775 crore, Sudha is famously modest — she reportedly has not bought new sarees in 30 years.

Awards and Recognition

• Padma Shri (2006) — 4th highest civilian honour in India
• Padma Bhushan (2023) — 3rd highest civilian honour in India
• Crossword Book Award (2018) — Non-Fiction
• Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar (2023)
• Global Indian Award (2023) — worth $50,000; first woman recipient
• Honorary Doctorates — IIT Kanpur and multiple other institutions

Net Worth 2026

Sudha Murty’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹775 crore (2025 estimate), derived from:

• Book royalties (40+ books, 6 million+ copies)
• 0.95% stake in Infosys Limited
• Annual earnings of approximately ₹300 crore
• The original ₹10,000 seed capital invested in Infosys in 1981

Social Media

FAQ

Who is Sudha Murthy?

Sudha Murty is an Indian author, engineer, philanthropist, and Rajya Sabha MP born on 19 August 1950 in Karnataka. She was the first woman engineer at TATA Motors, provided the seed capital for Infosys, founded the Infosys Foundation, and has written 40+ books selling over 6 million copies. She is married to Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

How old is Sudha Murthy?

She was born on 19 August 1950. She is 75 years old in 2026.

Who is Sudha Murthy’s daughter?

Her daughter is Akshata Murty, married to Rishi Sunak — the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2022–2024).

What is Sudha Murthy’s net worth?

Her estimated net worth is ₹775 crore, primarily from book royalties, her Infosys stake, and earnings.

What are Sudha Murthy’s famous books?

Her most famous books include Wise & Otherwise, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, Three Thousand Stitches, and Grandma’s Bag of Stories.

Is Sudha Murthy an MP?

Yes. She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) by President Droupadi Murmu on 8 March 2024 (International Women’s Day).

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