Rishi Sunak: Profile, Wife, Family, Caste and Salary

Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom’s first British-Indian and Hindu Prime Minister, made history when he assumed office on October 25, 2022. Known for his financial acumen and rapid political ascent, Sunak’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by efforts to stabilize the UK economy post-Brexit and navigate a challenging political landscape. Despite his brief premiership, which ended with the Conservative Party’s defeat in the July 2024 general election, Sunak remains a prominent figure in global politics.

Early Life and Education

Rishi Sunak was born on May 17, 1980, in Southampton, England, to Indian parents of Punjabi descent, Yashvir and Usha Sunak. His father was a general practitioner, and his mother ran a pharmacy, instilling a strong work ethic in Sunak from a young age. Growing up in a middle-class family, Sunak has often spoken about his parents’ sacrifices and their emphasis on education.

Sunak attended Stroud School and Winchester College, one of the UK’s most prestigious public schools, where he excelled academically. He later studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Lincoln College, Oxford, graduating with a First-Class degree in 2001. His academic journey continued at Stanford University, where he earned an MBA as a Fulbright Scholar. It was at Stanford that he met his future wife, Akshata Murty, daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys.

Early Career and Entry into Politics

Before entering politics, Sunak built a successful career in finance. He worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs from 2001 to 2004, honing his expertise in investment banking. He later joined The Children’s Investment Fund Management and Thélème Partners, amassing significant wealth. By 2015, Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, were estimated to have a combined net worth of approximately £651 million ($830 million), making them one of the UK’s wealthiest couples, according to The Sunday Times’ 2024 Rich List.

Sunak’s political career began in 2015 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (now Richmond and Northallerton), a safe Conservative seat in North Yorkshire. His rapid rise through the Conservative Party ranks saw him appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2019 and Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2020 under Boris Johnson. As Chancellor, Sunak gained widespread recognition for his furlough scheme, which supported 11.7 million people during the COVID-19 pandemic at a cost of £88.5 billion.

Premiership (October 2022 – July 2024)

Sunak became Prime Minister on October 25, 2022, following the chaotic 49-day tenure of Liz Truss, whose economic policies triggered market turmoil. At 42, he was the youngest UK Prime Minister in over 200 years and the first of Indian heritage. His premiership focused on five key pledges: halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing national debt, cutting NHS waiting lists, and stopping small boat crossings in the English Channel.

A significant achievement was the Windsor Framework, negotiated in February 2023, which resolved post-Brexit trade issues between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. However, Sunak faced challenges, including high legal migration (685,000 in 2023) and the failure to fully implement his controversial Rwanda deportation plan for illegal migrants. His decision to call a snap election in July 2024, before the Rwanda plan could take effect, was widely criticized and contributed to the Conservative Party’s historic defeat to Labour, led by Keir Starmer.

On July 5, 2024, Sunak resigned as Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader after the party’s worst electoral performance in its 346-year history, apologizing for the outcome. He remained an MP and transitioned to new endeavors, including a visiting fellowship at Stanford University and founding The Richmond Project, a charitable initiative.

Personal Life

Rishi Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, and the couple has two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka. Akshata, a successful businesswoman and fashion designer, holds a 0.91% stake in Infosys, contributing significantly to their wealth. Sunak’s Hindu faith and Indian heritage are central to his identity, often highlighted during his visits to India, such as his trip to the Taj Mahal with his family in February 2025. His personal connect to India is further strengthened through his wife’s family, including his mother-in-law, Sudha Murty, a renowned philanthropist.

Sunak is known for his disciplined lifestyle, including a preference for minimal lunch (he once called lunch “for wimps”) and his enthusiasm for cricket, particularly supporting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) due to his wife’s Bangalore roots.

Recent News (2025)

Since stepping down as Prime Minister, Sunak has remained active in public life:

1. Bengaluru Stampede Reaction (June 2025)
   • Sunak expressed condolences for a tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where 11 people died during celebrations for RCB’s IPL 2025 victory. He was present at the match, cheering for RCB with his wife, Akshata Murty, and described the atmosphere as “electric” before the tragedy.
2. Support for India’s Anti-Terrorism Stance (May 2025)
   • Sunak backed India’s actions against cross-border terrorism, stating, “India is justified in striking terrorist infrastructure. There can be no impunity for terrorists,” following India’s Operation Sindoor.
3. Pahalgam Attack Condemnation (April 2025)
   • Sunak condemned a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists, expressing solidarity with India and grieving for the victims, including newlyweds and children.
4. Visit to India (February 2025)
   • Sunak visited Delhi, meeting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who praised his contributions to India-UK relations. He also visited the Taj Mahal and attended a cricket match in Mumbai.
5. Stanford Fellowship and Charitable Work
   • Sunak joined Stanford University as a visiting fellow and is set to deliver a commencement address in June 2025. He also launched The Richmond Project to support charitable causes.

Controversies

Sunak’s career has not been without controversy:

1. COVID-19 Financial Support Criticism
   • As Chancellor, Sunak faced scrutiny for blocking increased financial support for self-isolating individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, with critics claiming the £95 weekly payment was inadequate and cost lives.
2. Partygate Scandal
   • Sunak was fined for attending a gathering during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown, part of the broader “Partygate” scandal that tarnished the Conservative government’s reputation.
3. Trans Issues Debate (2024)
   • During a 2024 election debate, Sunak was accused by Labour leader Keir Starmer of using transgender issues as a “political football” to divide voters, particularly after comments made in Parliament while the mother of murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey was present.
4. Election Campaign Missteps
   • Sunak’s 2024 election campaign was criticized for gaffes, including announcing the election in the rain and making unverified claims about Labour’s tax plans, which damaged his credibility.
5. Wealth and Privilege Perception
   • Sunak’s immense wealth and elite education led to accusations of being out of touch, exemplified by a viral photo of his mother’s pharmacy with a satellite dish, used to question his claim of not having Sky TV as a child.

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Rishi Sunak

1. First British-Indian PM: Sunak was the UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian descent and Hindu faith.
2. Youngest PM in 200 Years: At 42, he was the youngest UK Prime Minister since William Pitt the Younger in 1783.
3. Wealthiest PM: With a net worth of £651 million, Sunak is the richest person to hold the office.
4. Fulbright Scholar: He earned an MBA from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar.
5. Cricket Enthusiast: Sunak is a passionate RCB fan, reflecting his wife’s Bangalore roots.
6. Furlough Scheme Architect: His COVID-19 furlough scheme supported millions but drew mixed reviews.
7. Windsor Framework Success: He negotiated a key Brexit trade deal with the EU in 2023.
8. Hindu Faith: Sunak took his oath as an MP on the Bhagavad Gita, reflecting his cultural roots.
9. Rapid Political Rise: He went from MP in 2015 to Prime Minister in just seven years.
10. Nicknamed “Tetchy Rishi”: His occasionally sharp demeanor during debates earned him this moniker.

FAQs About Rishi Sunak

Q1: Who is Rishi Sunak?
A1: Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as the UK’s Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024, the first of Indian descent and Hindu faith.

Q2: What is Rishi Sunak’s net worth?
A2: Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, have a combined net worth of approximately £651 million ($830 million).

Q3: Why did Rishi Sunak resign?
A3: Sunak resigned as Prime Minister and Conservative leader after the party’s historic defeat in the July 2024 general election.

Q4: What controversies is Rishi Sunak associated with?
A4: Key controversies include his Partygate fine, criticism over COVID-19 financial support, and accusations of using trans issues divisively.

Q5: What is Rishi Sunak doing now?
A5: As of June 2025, Sunak is a visiting fellow at Stanford University, runs The Richmond Project, and remains an MP.

Q6: Why does Rishi Sunak support RCB?
A6: His wife, Akshata Murty, hails from Bangalore, making RCB his team of choice in the IPL.