Why Sudha Murty Hasn't Bought A New Saree In 30 Years

Sudha Murty, the chairperson of Infosys Foundation and a renowned author, has made a name for herself as a trailblazer in engineering and beyond. With a net worth of Rs 775 crore, she has chosen to lead a life of simplicity, defying traditional notions of luxury.

One of the most surprising aspects of Sudha's life is her decision not to buy a new saree in over three decades. This choice may seem unusual given her substantial wealth, but it is deeply rooted in her spiritual beliefs. During a visit to Kashi, she decided to give up something she cherished as an offering, and since then, she has limited her acquisitions to essential items only.

As the wife of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, Sudha's net worth is only part of her remarkable story. Together, they have a combined net worth of over $7 billion. Both Sudha and Narayana are avid readers, boasting an impressive collection of over 20,000 books.

Sudha wears sarees gifted to her by her sisters, friends, and NGOs she is associated with. Among her most treasured sarees are two hand-embroidered ones given to her by a group of abused women. Her simplicity is not limited to her wardrobe choices; she has also spoken about the importance of living modestly.

Born into a Deshastha Madhva Brahmin family in Karnataka, Sudha was raised by her parents and maternal grandparents. She earned degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Computer Science before securing a job at TELCO (now Tata Motors).

As the founder of Infosys Foundation, Sudha has served as its Trustee and Visiting Professor at Bangalore University. Her literary contributions span multiple genres, including novels, non-fiction, travelogues, technical books, and memoirs. She is also a member of the Rajya Sabha.

In an interview with NDTV, Sudha humorously claimed that her decision to support Narayana Murthy with Rs 10,000 was her "best investment." Today, she holds a 0.95% stake in Infosys.

Sudha's personal life is no less remarkable; her daughter Akshata is married to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In a lighthearted moment, Sudha joked that while she helped her husband become a successful businessman, her daughter went one step further by making her husband a Prime Minister.