Azim Premji is one of India’s most respected business leaders, philanthropists, and the man who transformed Wipro from a cooking-oil company into a global IT giant. Known as the “Czar of Indian IT,” Premji is admired worldwide for his business brilliance, simplicity, and massive contributions to education and social development.
Who Is Azim Premji?
Azim Hashim Premji is an Indian businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the former chairman of Wipro Limited, one of the world’s largest IT services companies. He is also one of the biggest private donors in Asia.
Azim Premji – Early Life & Background
Azim Premji was born on 24 July 1945 in Mumbai, India.
His father, Mohamed Hashem Premji, founded Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd., later known as Wipro.
The family was wealthy, but Premji grew up with deep values of humility and discipline.
Education – A Global Perspective
Azim Premji studied at St. Mary’s School, Mumbai, and later pursued Electrical Engineering at Stanford University in the USA.
He completed his degree years later after returning to India temporarily to manage the company.
Taking Over Wipro at Age 21
In 1966, Premji’s father passed away suddenly.
At just 21 years old, Azim Premji had to return to India and take control of the family business.
At that time, Wipro was primarily a company producing:
Cooking oil
Vegetable products
Soaps
Consumer goods
The challenge was huge, but Premji was determined.
Wipro – From Oil to IT Giant
Azim Premji diversified the company and entered new sectors such as:
IT services
Software development
Computer hardware
Consulting
BPO
Cloud services
Under his leadership, Wipro became one of the biggest IT companies globally.
Why Wipro Became Successful Under Azim Premji?
Long-term vision
Discipline and cost efficiency
Focus on quality
Investment in people
Strategic expansion
Trust-building with global clients
His leadership style was simple yet extremely impactful.
Azim Premji Net Worth
Azim Premji’s estimated net worth is ₹1.5–1.7 lakh crore (varies due to charitable foundation transfers).
He has donated a huge portion of his wealth to philanthropy, reducing his personal net worth significantly.
The Philanthropist – Premji’s Contributions to Society
Azim Premji is India’s biggest philanthropist.
In 2001, he created the Azim Premji Foundation to improve education in India.
His contributions include:
Over ₹2,00,000 crore donated to charity
Thousands of government schools supported
Training programs for teachers
Research in education and social development
Establishing Azim Premji University
He is one of the world’s largest private donors, even ahead of many global billionaires.
Azim Premji Family
Father: Mohamed Hashem Premji
Mother: Dr. Kutbunnisa Premji
Wife: Yasmeen Premji
Children: Rishad Premji and Tariq Premji
His son, Rishad Premji, is currently the chairman of Wipro.
Awards & Achievements
Padma Bhushan (2005)
Padma Vibhushan (2011)
Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy
Ranked among the world’s most generous billionaires
Recognised globally for ethical leadership
Leadership Mindset & Principles
Azim Premji believes in:
Simple living
Ethical business
Empowering people
Long-term planning
Giving back to society
He is known for his humble lifestyle despite his massive wealth.
Why Azim Premji Inspires Millions?
Built a global IT empire
Donated most of his wealth
Lived a simple, disciplined life
Focused on education and human development
Stayed grounded despite fame and success
His story is proof that true greatness comes from humility and impact, not wealth.
Conclusion
Azim Premji’s biography is a story of leadership, transformation, and generosity. From taking over a small family business to building Wipro into a global IT powerhouse, his journey is remarkable. More importantly, his dedication to improving education and society makes him one of India’s greatest icons.
