Narayana Murthy Biography: Awards, Net Worth, Wife, Instagram, Children, Height, Age

Narayana Murthy is an Indian IT industrialist best known as the co-founder of Infosys, a global leader in business consulting, technology, and outsourcing services.

Born in a small town in Karnataka, India, Murthy pioneered the Indian IT revolution, leading Infosys from a modest startup to a multinational giant.

His influence expanded beyond business into social impact and philanthropy, earning him global recognition as a thought leader in compassionate capitalism.

His journey into prominence started in 1981 when he and six others launched Infosys with minimal capital, eventually transforming it into one of India’s most successful and respected companies.

Profile

• Full name: Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy
• Date of birth: August 20, 1946
• Age: 78 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Profession: Industrialist, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Father – N. Rama Rao; Mother – Padavathamma Murthy
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Sudha Murthy
• Children: Akshata Murthy, Rohan Murty
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Hinduism
• Ethnicity: Indian
• Net worth: $2.47 billion

Early life and education

Narayana Murthy, at the age of 78, was born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka. He grew up in a modest, middle-class family.

His father, N. Rama Rao, was a high school teacher, and his mother, Padavathamma Murthy, was a homemaker.

Murthy had a keen interest in academics, particularly mathematics and physics. His family’s financial constraints influenced his early decisions about education.

Though he cleared the entrance to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), financial hardships prevented him from enrolling.

He obtained a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering (Mysore) in 1967.

He furthered his education with a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur) in 1969.

Personal life

Narayana Murthy’s personal life has been as intriguing as his professional journey. He met Sudha Murthy, an engineer, through a mutual friend, Prasanna, in Pune.

After several meetings, Murthy proposed to her, candidly explaining his humble background and aspirations.

Despite initial reservations from Sudha’s father, they married in a modest ceremony. The couple shares two children: Rohan Murty, a tech entrepreneur, and Akshata Murthy, married to British politician Rishi Sunak.

Career

Murthy began as a research associate at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, working on India’s first time-sharing computer system.

He later joined Patni Computer Systems as general manager. In 1981, Murthy founded Infosys with six fellow software engineers and a capital of ₹10,000, borrowed from his wife.

The company initially faced challenges, including a failed joint venture in the late 1980s, but Murthy’s leadership helped Infosys become one of India’s largest IT service companies.

Infosys made history as the first Indian company listed on NASDAQ in 1999. Murthy served as the CEO from 1981 to 2002 and as Chairman until his retirement in 2011.

He briefly returned as Executive Chairman in 2013 before stepping down in 2014, taking the title of Chairman Emeritus.

His influence in IT and business extended globally, as he also served on the boards of major companies like HSBC and Unilever.

Awards

• 2000: Padma Shri, Government of India
• 2003: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• 2007: Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• 2008: Padma Vibhushan, Government of India
• 2008: Officer of the Legion of Honour, Government of France
• 2013: Philanthropist of the Year, The Asian Awards
• 2022: Kempegowda Award

Net worth

Narayana Murthy’s net worth is estimated to be around $2.47 billion. He accumulated this wealth primarily through Infosys, which grew into one of the largest IT services firms globally.

His strategic leadership and innovation in the IT sector played a pivotal role in Infosys’ success. His wealth also comes from his investments in various startups and ventures.

Controversy

Narayana Murthy has faced several controversies throughout his career. In 2013, the U.S. government fined Infosys $34 million for visa fraud, specifically for unlawfully using B-1 visa holders to perform skilled labor meant for H-1B visa holders.

This was one of the largest fines imposed on an Indian company in the U.S. market, temporarily damaging Infosys’ reputation.

In 2017, Murthy publicly criticized the Infosys board for lapses in corporate governance, resulting in the resignation of CEO Vishal Sikka.

Murthy alleged that Sikka’s leadership lacked transparency and accountability, leading to a public battle between Murthy and the Infosys board.

This controversy raised questions about leadership at Infosys, although the company continued to grow despite the turmoil.

Over the years, Murthy has been vocal about corporate ethics and governance, sometimes clashing with other board members and executives at Infosys. Yet, his integrity in the field of IT remains widely respected.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Books

• A Better India: A Better World
• A Clear Blue Sky: Stories and Poems on Conflict and Hope
• Behtar Bharat, Behtar Duniya