Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy, the visionary co-founder of Infosys, is more than just a billionaire businessman; he is an institution in the world of global technology. Often hailed as the “father of the Indian IT sector,” Murthy’s journey from a modest beginning to building a global tech giant is a foundational story of modern India’s economic rise . His wealth is not merely a number but a reflection of the immense value and trust he helped create in the Indian technology industry. This article provides a comprehensive examination of Narayana Murthy’s net worth in 2025, exploring the sources of his wealth, his enduring legacy, and the principles that guide his use of this fortune.
Net Worth in 2025: A Snapshot
As of 2025, Narayana Murthy’s net worth is a subject of tracking by leading financial publications, with figures that can vary slightly based on market fluctuations and valuation dates.
- Primary Estimate: Forbes estimates his net worth to be $4.4 billion . Converted to Indian Rupees at an approximate exchange rate, this equals roughly ₹ 36,500 crore. This places him at rank #917 on the global billionaire list and as the third-richest individual in India’s technology sector, behind Shiv Nadar and Azim Premji .
- Other Estimates: The Hurun India Rich List 2025 provides a different valuation, estimating the wealth of “N R Narayana Murthy and family” at ₹ 32,150 crore (approximately $3.9 billion) . Another report from the Times of India aligns closely with Forbes, citing a net worth of $4.5 billion (approximately ₹ 37,300 crore) .
These discrepancies are normal in wealth tracking and stem from different methodologies, valuation dates, and the inclusion of private assets. The most consistent and authoritative figure, however, remains the $4.4 billion (≈₹ 36,500 crore) from Forbes .
The Source of Wealth: The Infosys Empire
The bedrock of Narayana Murthy’s wealth, constituting the vast majority of his fortune, is his minority stake in Infosys Limited .
- The Infosys Stake: While the exact percentage of his holding fluctuates, it is this investment that forms the core of his financial standing. The value of this stake is directly tied to the performance of Infosys stock on the market, leading to natural fluctuations in his reported net worth from year to year .
- Other Ventures: Beyond his Infosys shares, Murthy’s wealth is supplemented by other investments. He is the chairman of Catamaran Ventures, a private equity firm that has invested in numerous Indian startups and other businesses . His portfolio also includes significant real estate holdings, such as a 100-acre farm in Bengaluru and a penthouse in New York .
Table: Narayana Murthy’s Net Worth Estimates from Various Sources (2025)
| Source | Net Worth in USD | Approximate Net Worth in INR | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes | $4.4 billion | ~₹ 36,500 crore | Global ranking: #917; Tech industry rank in India: #3 |
| Hurun India | ~$3.9 billion | ₹ 32,150 crore | Wealth attributed to “N R Narayana Murthy and family” |
| Times of India | $4.5 billion | ~₹ 37,300 crore | Based on Forbes Real-Time Billionaire List |
A Timeline of Wealth Creation
Murthy’s financial journey is inextricably linked to the epic story of Infosys, a tale of vision, perseverance, and revolutionary business practices.
- Humble Beginnings (1981): Infosys was founded in 1981 with an initial capital of just ₹10,000 (about $250 at the time), which was famously provided by his wife, Sudha Murty . Murthy, along with six other software professionals, started the company to provide software development services to global clients.
- Pioneering the Global Delivery Model: A key factor in Infosys’s explosive growth was Murthy’s articulation and implementation of the Global Delivery Model (GDM). This model involved executing software projects with on-site teams at the client’s location and remote, cost-effective teams in India. This innovation became the cornerstone of the entire Indian IT services outsourcing industry .
- Landmark Achievements and Growth: Under Murthy’s leadership as CEO (1981-2002) and later as Chairman, Infosys achieved several historic milestones. It became the first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ in 1999 . The company’s commitment to transparency and strong corporate governance set a new benchmark for Indian businesses.
- Leadership and Return from Retirement: Murthy stepped down as chairman in 2011 but returned in 2013 as executive chairman to help steer the company during a period of uncertainty . In 2017, he again played a pivotal role by raising concerns over alleged corporate governance lapses at the company, which ultimately led to a board shakeup and the return of co-founder Nandan Nilekani as chairman, underscoring his enduring influence as the company’s guardian .
Philanthropy: The Other Side of Wealth
Narayana Murthy and his family have consistently channeled their wealth toward philanthropic and social causes, believing in the principle of giving back to society.
- The Infosys Foundation: Established in 1996, the Infosys Foundation is the family’s primary philanthropic arm . Chaired by Sudha Murty, the non-profit organization focuses on areas including education, rural development, healthcare, and art and culture . While the exact figures of their donations are not always publicly disclosed, their contributions have been significant and wide-reaching.
- Support for Education and Research: The family has a strong commitment to academia. Murthy serves on the advisory boards of prestigious institutions like Cornell University and INSEAD . His son, Rohan Murty, donated $5.2 million to Harvard University Press to establish the Murty Classical Library of India, a collection dedicated to translating ancient Indian texts . Furthermore, Murthy is a trustee of the Infosys Prize, an annual award that honors outstanding researchers and scientists .
Family and Legacy
The Murthy family is often regarded as one of India’s most accomplished, with each member having a distinguished public profile.
- Sudha Murty: Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty, is a celebrated author, educator, and philanthropist . She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and is widely respected for her simple lifestyle and immense contributions to social causes.
- Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak: The Murthys’ daughter, Akshata Murty, is a businesswoman and fashion designer. She is married to Rishi Sunak, the British-Indian Conservative politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024 . This connection has brought the Murthy family into the global political spotlight.
- Rohan Murty: Their son, Rohan Murty, is a Harvard-educated computer scientist . He worked briefly as his father’s executive assistant at Infosys and later co-founded Soroco, an enterprise software company . He is also known for his philanthropic contributions to academia.
The Man Behind the Billions: Principles and Philosophy
Despite his immense wealth, Narayana Murthy is renowned for his simple and frugal lifestyle . He has often spoken about the importance of “compassionate capitalism,” a belief that businesses must create wealth ethically and share it with employees and society at large . His famous quote, “Bad news must take the elevator and good news can take the stairs,” reflects his leadership style that emphasizes transparency and facing challenges head-on .
In 2023, Murthy triggered a nationwide debate when he suggested that young Indians should be prepared to work 70 hours a week to boost national productivity . A year later, he clarified that this was a matter for “personal introspection” and not a mandate, stating that while he himself worked those hours for over 40 years, it was a personal choice and that “nobody can say you should do it” . This episode highlights his status as a thought leader whose opinions spark important national conversations.
FAQs on Narayana Murthy’s Net Worth
1. What is Narayana Murthy’s net worth in rupees in 2025?
As of 2025, Narayana Murthy’s net worth is estimated to be between ₹ 32,150 crore and ₹ 37,300 crore, with the most cited figure from Forbes being approximately ₹ 36,500 crore ($4.4 billion) .
2. How did Narayana Murthy make his money?
The vast majority of his wealth comes from his minority stake in Infosys, the global IT consulting and services company he co-founded in 1981. His wealth is also supplemented by returns from his private investment firm, Catamaran Ventures, and other personal investments .
3. What is the source of the different net worth figures for Murthy?
Different financial publications and wealth indices use their own methodologies and assess wealth at different points in time. Factors like the fluctuating share price of Infosys and the valuation of private investments lead to a range of estimates, all of which are valid within their own context .
4. How much of Infosys does Narayana Murthy own?
While the exact percentage fluctuates, one report indicates he owns about 3% of Infosys . This seemingly small percentage of a multi-billion dollar corporation constitutes the core of his multi-billion dollar fortune.
5. What is Narayana Murthy’s role in Infosys today?
After serving as CEO and Chairman, Murthy is now the Chairman Emeritus of Infosys . This is an honorary title, and he is not involved in the day-to-day management of the company.
6. Is Narayana Murthy involved in philanthropy?
Yes, extensively. Along with his wife Sudha Murty, he is deeply involved in philanthropy primarily through the Infosys Foundation, which works in the areas of education, rural development, and healthcare. The family has also made significant donations to academic institutions globally .
7. Who are the other founders of Infosys?
Infosys was co-founded by seven people: N.R. Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, S. Gopalakrishnan, S. D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N. S. Raghavan, and Ashok Arora . Several of them, including Nandan Nilekani and Kris Gopalakrishnan, are also billionaires .
Conclusion
Narayana Murthy’s net worth of approximately $4.4 billion (₹ 36,500 crore) in 2025 is a testament to a lifetime of visionary leadership and relentless execution. More than just a number, his wealth represents the creation of a world-class institution from scratch, the founding of an entire industry, and the empowerment of millions of professionals in India. His journey from a modest start with ₹10,000 to becoming one of India’s wealthiest individuals continues to inspire entrepreneurs. While his public statements sometimes stir debate, his legacy as the patriarch who helped put Indian IT on the global map is secure. His wealth, therefore, is not merely a measure of financial success, but a barometer of the transformative impact one individual can have on a nation’s economy and global standing.