Akshata Murty, a prominent businesswoman and fashion designer based in Britain, is renowned for her entrepreneurial spirit and connection to influential figures. This detailed biography explores her life, career, and contributions to various fields.
Wiki/Biography
Akshata Murty was born in April 1980 (age 43 years as of 2023) in Hubli, Karnataka, India. Her education includes schooling at Baldwin Girls High School in Bangalore, followed by an Economics and French degree from Claremont McKenna College in California. She further honed her skills with a diploma in Apparel Manufacturing Technology from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5’4″
- Hair Colour: Black
- Eye Colour: Black
Family
She hails from a Hindu-Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, N. R. Narayana Murthy, is a co-founder of Infosys. Her mother, Sudha Murthy, is a prominent philanthropist and co-founder of the Infosys Foundation. She also has a younger brother, Rohan Murty, founder of the Murty Classical Library of India.
Husband & Children
Akshata Murty is married to Rishi Sunak, the 57th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Their wedding took place on August 30, 2009, at the Leela Palace Hotel in Bangalore, a ceremony attended by many notable Indian figures. The couple has two daughters, Anoushka Sunak and Krishna Sunak.
Relationships/Affairs
Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak met during her postgraduate studies in California, developing a friendship that blossomed into a romantic relationship.
Nationality
Akshata Murty holds Indian citizenship. Her spokesperson has stated that she has no plans to change her citizenship, citing Indian law prohibiting dual citizenship.
Career
Before pursuing her MBA, Akshata Murty gained experience at Unilever and Deloitte. Post-MBA, she joined Tendris, a Dutch cleantech incubator fund, as a marketing director. In 2009, she launched her own clothing line, expressing a desire for her business to stand on its own merit.
Her career also includes roles as director of Catamaran Ventures (2013), and board membership at Claremont McKenna College and the San Francisco Exploratorium (2017). She currently serves as a director for New & Lingwood (menswear) and Digme Fitness (gym chain).
Controversy
In 2022, Akshata Murty faced scrutiny regarding her tax status in the UK. Reports indicated she utilized non-domiciled status, leading to questions about her tax obligations on overseas income. This controversy also involved allegations related to her family’s business, Infosys, and its operations in Russia during the Russia-Ukraine War. Infosys subsequently announced the withdrawal of its services from Russia.
Assets & Properties
Akshata Murty’s significant assets include properties such as:
| Property | Location | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian Manor house | Kirby Sigston, Yorkshire | £1.5 million |
| Penthouse apartment | Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California | £7.5 million |
| Mews mansion (owned by Rishi Sunak) | Kensington, West London | £6.6 million |
| First-floor flat (owned by Rishi Sunak) | Old Brompton Road, Kensington | $300,000 |
Net Worth
As of 2023, her combined net worth with Rishi Sunak is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, placing them high on various wealth rankings.
Facts/Trivia
- She spent part of her childhood with her grandparents while her parents built their careers.
- Akshata Murty holds a significant stake in Infosys.
- She is recognized as one of the wealthiest women in the UK.
- Before the 2022 elections, the couple invested in significant renovations to their Yorkshire home.
- She uses a slightly different spelling of her surname than her father.
- Akshata Murty has investments in various UK companies.
- She has a unique perspective on work-life balance, shaped by her upbringing in a family of strong women.
- She has business interests in the Indian restaurant industry.
- Her father wrote a heartfelt letter to her, expressing his pride and responsibility as a father.
- Akshata and Rishi Sunak have contrasting personalities, according to Rishi’s own comments.
- She collaborates with Indian artisans to create unique clothing.
