Sudha Murty is one of India’s most respected authors, engineers, social workers, and philanthropists. She is widely known for her simplicity, generosity, and her remarkable contribution to education and social development. As the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty has changed the lives of lakhs of people across India.
This biography covers her inspirational journey from a small-town girl to one of India’s most powerful and influential women.
Who Is Sudha Murty?
Sudha Murty (also spelled Sudha Murthi) is an Indian author, social worker, teacher, and philanthropist. She has written more than 40 books in English and Kannada, many of which are bestsellers. She is also the mother-in-law of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Sudha Murty – Early Life & Background
Sudha Murty was born on 19 August 1950 in Shiggaon, Karnataka.
Her father was a doctor, and her mother was a homemaker.
From childhood, she was brilliant in studies and extremely curious about science and technology.
Sudha Murty Education
Sudha did her B.E. in Electrical Engineering from B.V.B. College of Engineering, where she topped her class with a gold medal.
She later completed her M.E. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, again securing the first rank.
Her Historic Achievement – First Female Engineer at TATA Motors
Sudha Murty became the first woman engineer to be hired by TATA Motors (then Telco).
This was a turning point not only in her life but also in India’s industrial history.
She got the job after writing a bold letter to J.R.D. Tata criticizing the company’s “male-only” hiring policy.
Inspired by her courage, JRD Tata offered her a job immediately.
Sudha Murty & Narayana Murthy – Love & Marriage
Sudha met N. R. Narayana Murthy during her time in Bangalore.
They shared common values — simplicity, hard work, and social welfare.
The couple married in 1978, even when Murthy did not have much money.
Sudha supported him financially and emotionally during the early days of Infosys.
Role in Building Infosys
Sudha Murty has often said that she gave her “entire savings” to her husband to help start Infosys.
She handled:
The company’s early accounts
Employee management
Financial decisions
Foundational support work
Infosys later became one of India’s biggest IT giants.
Infosys Foundation – Social Work & Contributions
As the chairperson of Infosys Foundation, Sudha has contributed to:
Building over 70,000 libraries across India
Supporting education for thousands of poor children
Donating to hospitals, cyclone relief, flood relief
Helping the homeless and the elderly
Building toilets in rural areas
Empowering women through skill training
Her impact on Indian society is immeasurable.
Sudha Murty Books (Popular Works)
Sudha has written many bestselling books loved by kids and adults alike. Popular titles include:
Wise and Otherwise
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk
The Magic Drum
Three Thousand Stitches
Grandma’s Bag of Stories
The Gopi Diaries
Her writing style is simple, emotional, and full of life lessons.
Sudha Murty Achievements & Awards
Sudha has received many prestigious awards:
Padma Shri (2006)
Padma Bhushan (2023)
Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
R.K. Narayan Award for Literature
Honorary doctorates from multiple universities
She is also respected globally as a powerful female role model.
Sudha Murty Net Worth
Sudha Murty’s estimated net worth is around ₹800–900 Crore, mainly due to her shareholdings and family assets.
Although she is wealthy, she lives a very simple and grounded lifestyle.
Philosophy & Lifestyle
Sudha believes in:
Living simply
Helping the poor
Focus on education
Giving more than receiving
Her personality reflects humility, kindness, and strong moral values.
Why Sudha Murty Is Loved Worldwide?
Inspiring personality
Powerful author
Strong advocate for education
Breaking gender stereotypes
True humanitarian
Her life motivates millions of people to dream big and help others.
Conclusion
Sudha Murty’s biography is a powerful example of how determination and kindness can change the world. From being India’s first woman engineer at Tata Motors to building Infosys and transforming millions of lives, she has created a legacy that will be remembered forever.
