Akshata Murty is a woman of many talents and accomplishments. She is a successful entrepreneur, who has launched her own fashion label and invested in various startups. She is a social media influencer, who has over 258K followers on Instagram (akshatamurty_official). Akshata is a philanthropist, who supports various causes and charities. She is also a political spouse, who is married to Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader.
But Akshata Murty is not just defined by her roles and relationships. She is also a person of her own, who has a unique story and a distinct identity. She is the daughter of N. R. Narayana Murthy, one of the founders of Infosys, an Indian multinational IT company. She is also the heiress to a fortune of over £500 million, making her one of the richest women in the UK.
Early Life and Education
Akshata Murty family
Akshata Murty was born in Hubli, Karnataka, on April 25, 1980. She is the oldest child of engineer and entrepreneur N. R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty. Her father co-founded Infosys, a global IT company that provides software and consulting services. Her mother chairs the Infosys Foundation, which promotes education, health, rural development, and arts and culture.
Akshata Murty’s parents were poor when they founded Infosys, so they raised her modestly. Her youth was in Jayanagar, a Bangalore suburb, where she attended Baldwin Girls’ High School. She was smart and hardworking, excelling in school and extracurriculars. She mastered English, Hindi, Kannada, and French, exposing her to other cultures and languages.
College Life
After graduating high school, Akshata Murty studied in the US. At Claremont McKenna College in California, she studied economics and French. After earning a bachelor’s degree in 2002, she became a social media manager for a digital marketing business. She earned a certificate in clothing manufacture from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising after becoming interested in fashion and design.
University
Akshata Murty applied to Stanford University, a top university, in 2005 to advance her studies and profession. In the MBA programme, she met her future husband, Rishi Sunak. Her entrepreneurial adventure began after earning a master’s in business administration in 2007.
Akshata Murty’s Career and Achievements
The motivation behind Akshata Murty’s work has always been there. She has worked in fashion, technology, journalism, and finance.
In 2009, she founded Akshata Designs, a fashion line. The firm made modern, ecological apparel and accessories to conserve and promote Indian handmade traditions. Fashion shows and events featured the label’s collections, which got good reviews. Financial and organisational issues forced the label to shut down in 2012.
Akshata Murty co-founded Catamaran Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in startups and businesses across sectors and stages. Her husband Rishi Sunak and she founded the fund in 2013 as the UK arm of her father’s Indian enterprise, N. R. Narayana Murthy. Akshata Murty directs the fund’s strategy and operations. The fund has invested in British clothing company New & Lingwood, pay-as-you-go gym chain Digme Fitness, and childcare website Koru Kids.
Akshata Murty has worked with businesses and organisations as an influencer, ambassador, or adviser in addition to her own projects. She promoted Very, Abbott Lyon, Freddy Jeans, Debenhams, With Love Lilly, and Never Fully Dressed on social media. She has also promoted the British Asian Trust, Prince’s Trust, and Akshaya Patra Foundation, generating awareness and funding.
Akshata Murty’s Relationship and Marriage with Rishi Sunak
When did they meet?
Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak, a dynamic duo in the UK’s political landscape, share a compelling love story. When they first met at Stanford University while pursuing their MBAs, their connection was immediate and fueled by a love of adventure and shared values.
Akshata murty wedding
Engaged in 2008 and married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Bangalore the following year, the couple has since welcomed two daughters, Anoushka and Krishna, into their family. Residing in London, their four properties reflect their success, including a Kensington home, a Yorkshire mansion, a Santa Monica penthouse, and a flat on Old Brompton Road.
Akshata murty children
She has two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka, who were born in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
Support
Both accomplished in their own right, Akshata and Rishi support each other in their professional endeavours. Akshata’s unwavering support has accompanied Rishi’s political journey from a Member of Parliament to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and ultimately the Prime Minister. Together, they navigate political landscapes and attend high-profile events, showcasing a harmonious blend of love, support, and shared ambition.
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FAQs:
Who is Akshata Murty?
Akshata Murty is a millionaire businesswoman, fashion designer, and venture capitalist. She is the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of technology giant Infosys and the wife of Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader.
How old is Akshata Murty?
Akshata Murty is 43 years old, as of January 10, 2024. She was born on April 25, 1980, in Hubli, Karnataka, India.
What is Akshata Murty’s net worth?
Akshata Murty has an estimated net worth of over £700 million, largely due to her stake in Infosys. This makes her one of Britain’s wealthiest women.
Where did Akshata Murty go to school and university?
Akshata Murty went to the Baldwin Girls’ High School in Bangalore, India, for her high school education. She then went to Claremont McKenna College in California, USA, where she studied economics and French.
What businesses does Akshata Murty run?
In addition to owning shares of her father’s company Infosys, Akshata runs her own fashion label called Akshata Designs. She also serves as a director on numerous boards including Infosys UK and private equity firm Catamaran Ventures.
Why was Murty recently in the news?
Akshata faced recent scrutiny in the UK when it was revealed she held non-domicile tax status, meaning she legally avoided paying UK taxes on her overseas income from Infosys dividends worth millions. This sparked controversy, given her husband’s role as Chancellor.
