Meet Sudha Murty: Padma Bhushan awardee, author of 40+ books, Infosys Foundation founder, and Rajya Sabha MP. Discover her inspiring journey, family, and latest news.
Sudha Murty is one of India’s most beloved figures—a philanthropist, bestselling author, engineer, and now a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. Known for her humility and simple living despite immense wealth, she has touched millions through her books and social work. As the founder-chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she has built libraries, supported healthcare, and empowered rural communities across India.
In March 2024, Sudha Murty was nominated to India’s upper house of Parliament, adding political leadership to her already illustrious career. She is also the mother-in-law of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, yet she remains deeply grounded in her Kannada roots. Her story is one of breaking gender barriers, compassionate giving, and storytelling that transcends generations.
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Quick Facts About Sudha Murty
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sudha Kulkarni Murty |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1950 |
| Age | 75 years (as of 2026) |
| Profession | Author, Philanthropist, Engineer, Rajya Sabha MP |
| Net Worth | Shared with husband: ~$4.7 billion (Forbes) |
| Spouse | N. R. Narayana Murthy (m. 1978) |
| Children | Akshata Murty (daughter), Rohan Murty (son) |
| Famous For | Infosys Foundation, “Dollar Bahu,” “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” |
| Current Status | Rajya Sabha MP (nominated, 2024–present) |
Early Life and Family Background
Sudha Murty was born on August 19, 1950, in Shiggaon, a small town in the Haveri district of Karnataka, into a Deshastha Madhwa Brahmin family. Her father, Dr. R. H. Kulkarni, was a renowned surgeon, and her mother, Vimala Kulkarni, worked as a schoolteacher. She was raised by her parents and maternal grandparents, an experience that later inspired her famous book, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read.
Growing up in a modest household, Sudha was encouraged to pursue academics alongside her brother, astrophysicist Shrinivas Kulkarni, and sister, Dr. Sunanda Kulkarni. Her family valued education above all, and she imbibed a strong sense of social responsibility early on. These childhood experiences in rural Karnataka shaped her empathy and her lifelong commitment to giving back to society.
Education: Breaking Gender Barriers in Engineering
Sudha Murty completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics from B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology (now KLE Technological University) in Hubli. She was the only woman in her batch and won a gold medal from the then Chief Minister of Karnataka for her outstanding performance [citation:6]. She then pursued a Master of Engineering in Computer Science from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore—again as the sole female student in her class
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Her academic journey was remarkable for its era. In the 1970s, engineering was considered a male-dominated field, but Sudha never let societal norms dictate her path. Her father’s encouragement and her own determination helped her shatter the glass ceiling before her professional career even began.
Career Journey: From TELCO’s First Female Engineer to Infosys Foundation
After completing her M.Tech, Sudha Murty came across a job advertisement from TELCO (now Tata Motors). To her shock, the notice stated that women need not apply. Instead of accepting this bias, she wrote a postcard to the company’s chairman, J. R. D. Tata, questioning the discriminatory policy [citation:1]. Impressed by her boldness, Tata granted her a special interview, and she was hired immediately—becoming the first female engineer at India’s largest automobile manufacturer.
She worked as a Development Engineer in Pune, Mumbai, and Jamshedpur, and later joined the Walchand Group of Industries as a Senior Systems Analyst. In 1981, her husband Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys. Sudha played a supportive role behind the scenes, even lending him initial capital.
However, her own professional identity remained strong. In 1996, she founded the Infosys Foundation, a public charitable trust, and served as its chairperson until her retirement in December 2021. Under her leadership, the foundation built thousands of libraries in Karnataka government schools, supported healthcare initiatives, and worked on the rehabilitation of devadasis.
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Literary Contributions: 40+ Books in Kannada and English
Sudha Murty is a prolific writer, with over 42 books to her name, including novels, short story collections, travelogues, technical books, and children’s literature [citation:5]. Her first notable work was How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories, which became a staple in Indian households. Her most famous novel, Dollar Bahu, was adapted into a popular Zee TV series in 2001.
She writes originally in both Kannada and English, and her books have been translated into all major Indian languages. Her writing is known for its simplicity, warmth, and moral clarity. She often draws from real-life experiences, making complex social issues accessible to young readers. In 2023, she received the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her contributions to children’s literature.
Personal Life: Family, Narayana Murthy, and Rishi Sunak
Sudha Murty married N. R. Narayana Murthy in 1978 while she was working at TELCO in Pune. Theirs is one of India’s most admired partnerships—built on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to social good. The couple has two children: Akshata Murty, a fashion designer, and Rohan Murty, a computer scientist.
Akshata is married to Rishi Sunak, who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024. When Sunak made history as the first Indian-origin UK PM, Sudha expressed quiet pride but has remained focused on her own work in India. Her siblings include renowned astrophysicist Shrinivas Kulkarni and Jaishree Deshpande, co-founder of the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at MIT [citation:1]. Despite her family’s global prominence, Sudha is known for her simple lifestyle—she still travels by auto-rickshaw in Bangalore and prefers cotton saris.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Sudha Murty’s personal net worth is not separately disclosed, but her husband Narayana Murthy has an estimated net worth of $4.7 billion according to Forbes [citation:2]. The Murty family’s wealth comes primarily from the Infosys stake, which Narayana Murthy co-founded. However, Sudha has never drawn a salary from the Infosys Foundation. She famously returned her entire retirement benefits and lives modestly.
In 2023, she and her husband became the first couple to receive The Global Indian Award from the University of Toronto, which carried a $50,000 prize. She donated the entire sum to the Field Institute. Her philosophy is clear: wealth is for giving, not hoarding.
Latest News and Recent Developments (2025–2026)
In March 2024, Sudha Murty was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament, by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of her contributions to philanthropy, literature, and education. She was sworn in as a nominated MP on March 8, 2024—International Women’s Day. Her first speech in the House focused on the need for cervical cancer prevention vaccines, a topic that drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On April 1, 2026, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar released her book Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament, a Lok Sabha Secretariat publication that describes 124 mural panels documenting India’s civilisational journey [citation:3]. The Vice President lauded her for capturing “the timeless beauty and profound symbolism of the parliamentary murals.”
In December 2025, she made a powerful intervention during Zero Hour, urging the government to recognise social innovators alongside tech pioneers. She cited the Japanese inventor of the QR code as an example of selfless innovation for public welfare. As of mid-2026, she continues to attend PRS Legislative Research classes to familiarise herself with parliamentary procedures, proving that learning never stops.
Achievements, Awards, and Recognitions
Sudha Murty has received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri (2006) and the Padma Bhushan (2023), two of India’s highest civilian honours [citation:1]. In 2023, she also won the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her children’s writing and The Global Indian Award. She holds 11 honorary doctorates from universities including IIT Kanpur and institutions abroad.
Other notable awards include the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature (2006), the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award from the Karnataka Government (2010), and the Crossword Book Award (2018). Yet, she often says her greatest reward is the smiles of children in the libraries her foundation built.
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Wrapping Up
Sudha Murty’s life is a masterclass in quiet, impactful leadership. From becoming India’s first female engineer at TELCO to building one of the country’s most respected philanthropic institutions, she has consistently chosen purpose over prestige. Her books have educated and entertained millions, while her social work has transformed countless lives.
At 75, she has entered a new chapter as a parliamentarian, bringing her trademark compassion and no-nonsense clarity to the Rajya Sabha. She remains an inspiration for young women, aspiring writers, and anyone who believes that wealth is best measured not in rupees, but in the good one does.
People Also Ask
How old is Sudha Murty and when was she born?
Sudha Murty was born on August 19, 1950, making her 75 years old as of 2026. She was born in Shiggaon, Karnataka.
What is Sudha Murty’s most famous book?
Her most famous book is Dollar Bahu, a novel about a family torn apart by a son’s American wife. It was adapted into a popular television series. How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is also widely beloved.
Is Sudha Murty related to Rishi Sunak?
Yes, Sudha Murty is the mother-in-law of Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her daughter, Akshata Murty, married Sunak in 2009.
What is Sudha Murty doing now in 2026?
Sudha Murty is serving as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament. She continues to write and recently authored Tides of Time, a book on parliamentary murals, released in April 2026.
