Rishi Sunak’s Net Wealth: Success Story or Political Liability
Rishi Sunak’s Net Wealth
Rishi Sunak’s net worth is estimated to be around £529 million, making him one of the wealthiest UK politicians. His fortune comes from his career in finance and his wife Akshata Murty’s stake in Infosys, a billion-dollar tech company. Sunak’s wealth has sparked debates about his connection to everyday citizens.
| Net worth | $800 Million |
| Category | Richest politicians, presidents |
| Age | 44 years |
| Height | 1.7 m |
| Profession | Politician, Businessperson |
| Nationality | British |
| Gender | male |
| Birth Date | May 12, 1980 |
| Birth Place | Southampton, United Kingdom |
| Spouse | Akshata Murty |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Salary | £529 million |
| Education | Oxford University (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), Stanford MBA |
| Wife’s Wealth Contribution | Akshata Murty owns a stake in Infosys, worth millions |
| Major Assets | Luxury homes in the UK and California |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Luxury Cars | Range Rover, BMW 7 Series, Lexus, Jaguar |
Early Life
Rishi Sunak was born on May 12, 1980, in Southampton, England, to Indian immigrant parents. His father was a doctor, and his mother ran a pharmacy. He attended elite schools like Winchester College and later studied at Oxford University. Sunak also earned an MBA from Stanford, where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
Personal Life
Rishi Sunak was born on May 12, 1980, in Southampton, UK, to Indian parents. He studied at Oxford University and later earned an MBA from Stanford. In 2009, he married Akshata Murty, the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. They have two daughters and live in London.
Business career (2001–2015)
Rishi Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs before joining The Children’s Investment Fund, becoming a partner in 2006. In 2010, he co-founded Theleme Partners with $700 million in assets. From 2013 to 2015, he was a director at his father-in-law Narayana Murthy’s firm, Catamaran Ventures.
Backbencher (2015–2018)
Rishi Sunak became the Conservative MP for Richmond (Yorks) in 2015 and was re-elected in 2017 and 2019. He supported Brexit and advocated for free ports and economic reforms. In 2024, he won the new Richmond and Northallerton seat.
Local government under-secretary (2018–2019)
In 2018, Rishi Sunak was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government. He supported Theresa May’s Brexit deal but voted against a second referendum. After May’s resignation in 2019, he backed Boris Johnson for Conservative leader, co-writing an article with fellow MPs to support his campaign.
Chief secretary to the Treasury (2019–2020)
Rishi Sunak was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Boris Johnson, serving under Sajid Javid. The next day, he became a member of the Privy Council. During the 2019 general election, he represented the Conservative Party in debates.
Chancellor of the Exchequer (2020–2022)
In February 2020, Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor after refusing to replace his advisers with ones chosen by Downing Street. On the same day, Rishi Sunak was promoted to replace him in Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.
COVID-19 pandemic
In early 2020, Rishi Sunak introduced travel advice and contact tracing as COVID-19 spread. The government later enforced restrictions to control the outbreak. On March 20, Sunak urged unity, compassion, and a collective effort to overcome the crisis.
Furlough scheme
During COVID-19, Rishi Sunak launched a £330 billion support package, including the furlough scheme, covering 80% of wages up to £2,500 per month. Initially set for three months, it was extended multiple times until September 2021 to prevent mass unemployment.
Eat Out to Help Out
In July 2020, Rishi Sunak launched a £30 billion plan, including the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. It offered 50% off meals to boost hospitality. While it helped businesses, studies later linked it to a rise in COVID-19 cases, sparking debate.
Conservative leadership bids
On 8 July 2022, Rishi Sunak announced his bid to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. He promised to restore trust and rebuild the economy but lost to Liz Truss in the final vote. As predicted, Truss’s economic plans led to financial instability, forcing her to resign. Sunak then won the leadership race and became Prime Minister on 24 October 2022.
Premiership (2022–2024)
On 25 October 2022, Rishi Sunak became the UK’s first British Asian prime minister and the youngest since 1812. In his first speech, he praised Liz Truss’s ambitions but acknowledged mistakes. He promised to restore economic stability and lead with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Cabinet
After becoming prime minister, Rishi Sunak appointed key ministers. Jeremy Hunt became Chancellor, while Dominic Raab was reappointed Deputy PM but resigned in April 2023. James Cleverly took over as Foreign Secretary, and Suella Braverman as Home Secretary. Other major roles included Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary and Michael Gove as Levelling Up Secretary.
Reshuffles
In February 2023, Rishi Sunak reshuffled his cabinet, creating new departments for Business, Energy, and Science. Greg Hands became party chairman, and Lucy Frazer took over Culture, Media, and Sport. In November, David Cameron returned as Foreign Secretary, while Suella Braverman and Thérèse Coffey left the government.
Foreign policy
In February 2023, Rishi Sunak reached a deal with the EU on Northern Ireland’s trade, called the Windsor Framework. He said it protected Northern Ireland’s place in the UK. Despite some opposition, Parliament approved it by 515 votes to 29.
Immigration
In 2023, Sunak prioritized stopping illegal immigration as net migration hit record highs. His Rwanda asylum plan was blocked by the Supreme Court, leading him to negotiate a treaty and pass the Safety of Rwanda Bill despite party divisions.
Russia and Ukraine
After a missile explosion in Poland on 15 November, Sunak met with US President Biden and later pledged £50 million in aid to Ukraine. On 12 January 2024, he visited Ukraine to sign a security agreement, promising £2.5 billion in military aid, including drones, missiles, and air defense support.
Israel and Palestine
In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, leading to war and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Sunak supported Israel’s right to defend itself but later called for a “sustainable ceasefire” and more aid for Gaza. He opposed war crime charges against Israel’s leader, calling them “unhelpful.”
Local election results
Sunak aimed to rebuild the Conservatives’ damaged reputation but struggled to regain support. The party faced heavy losses in local elections and by-elections, with their fortunes unchanged despite policy shifts. In May 2024, they suffered their worst local election results since 1996, deepening concerns over Sunak’s leadership.
2024 general election and resignation
On 22 May 2024, Sunak called a general election for 4 July, hoping to boost the Conservatives with signs of economic recovery. However, Labour won by a landslide, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Sunak conceded defeat, apologized to his party, and announced his plan to step down as leader.
Post-premiership (2024–present)
Leader of the Opposition (July–November 2024)
After losing the 2024 election, Sunak became Leader of the Opposition and formed his shadow cabinet. Many former ministers kept similar roles, while others were replaced after losing their seats. He later stepped down as leader, making way for Kemi Badenoch. Reflecting on his career, he joked about how quickly politics can change.
Other activities
In January 2025, Sunak became a visiting fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution and a distinguished fellow at Oxford’s Blavatnik School. He also joined the Washington Speakers Bureau. In March, he and his wife launched The Richmond Project to boost numeracy skills.
Political positions
Rishi Sunak is seen as a moderate Conservative with a pragmatic, managerial style. While he opposes extreme economic policies, his stance on social issues like migration and transgender rights is more conservative. Some view him as the most right-wing UK prime minister since Thatcher.
Public image
After becoming chancellor, Sunak quickly rose to prominence, gaining high approval ratings, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was once seen as a future Conservative leader but lost popularity over economic issues. By 2024, his approval hit a low, though he was praised for his graceful exit after the general election.
Sources of Wealth
Sunak’s wealth primarily comes from three major sources:
1. Finance and Investment Banking
Before entering politics, Sunak worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, followed by a role in hedge fund management at Theleme Partners. His experience in high finance helped him build a significant fortune.
2. Wife’s Stake in Infosys
Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. Akshata owns 0.93% of Infosys, valued at approximately £700 million, significantly contributing to their wealth.
3. Real Estate and Investments
The Sunak family owns multiple luxury properties in the UK and the US, including:
- A £7 million townhouse in Kensington, London
- A £2 million country mansion in Yorkshire
- A luxury penthouse in Santa Monica, California
Rishi Sunak’s Relationships & Children
Wife: Rishi Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Narayana Murthy, the billionaire co-founder of Infosys. They met while studying at Stanford University and married in 2009.Children: The couple has two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka Sunak. They keep their children’s lives private and out of the public eye.Sunak often speaks about the importance of family and has credited his wife and children for keeping him grounded despite his high-profile political career.
Controversies and Criticism
- Sunak’s wealth has been a topic of debate in British politics. Some of the controversies include:UK resident, which caused public backlash.
- Use of private jets – He has been criticized for using private jets for official travel despite advocating environmental policies.
- Cost of living crisis – Many argue that his immense wealth makes it difficult for him to understand the struggles of average UK citizens.
Charitable Work and Philanthropy
Despite the criticism, Sunak and his wife are involved in philanthropy, donating to causes related to education, healthcare, and cultural programs. His financial acumen and economic policies continue to shape his political career.
Infosys Family Wealth
Most of Rishi Sunak’s $800 million net worth comes from his wife, Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian billionaire N.R. Narayana Murthy. Her 0.93% stake in Infosys, India’s second-largest IT company, earns her millions in dividends each year. This wealth places the couple among the 200 richest people in the UK.
Is Rishi Sunak a Billionaire?
Rishi Sunak isn’t a billionaire in British pounds, but his wife’s wealth once made them worth $1 billion in US dollars. Changes in Infosys’ value and currency rates affected their fortune, but even at $800 million, they’re still richer than King Charles.
Hedge Funds
Akshata Murty’s family wealth isn’t the couple’s only income. Rishi Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs and later co-founded Theleme Partners in 2010 with $700 million in assets. From 2013 to 2015, he was a director at Catamaran Ventures, his father-in-law’s investment fund.
Cost of living crisis and energy crisis
In May 2022, Rishi Sunak introduced a £5 billion windfall tax on energy companies to fund a £15 billion support package for the public. This included a £400 energy bill discount for every household, £650 for low-income families, and extra payments for pensioners and those with disabilities.
Parents of Rishi Sunak’s
Father: Yashvir Sunak – A retired general practitioner (GP) in the UK.
Mother: Usha Sunak – A pharmacist who ran a local pharmacy.
Both of Sunak’s parents are of Indian descent and migrated to the UK from East Africa (Yashvir from Kenya and Usha from Tanzania). Their hard work and professional background influenced Sunak’s strong work ethic and career ambitions.
Budgets
Rishi Sunak’s budgets focused on COVID-19 recovery, business support, and tax changes. His final budget in March 2022 cut fuel duty and promised future tax reductions.
Other actions
In June 2021, Sunak hosted a G7 summit, leading to a global tax reform agreement. By October, the OECD joined the plan. Later, at COP26, he expressed optimism about tackling climate challenges through global cooperation.
Resignation
On 5 July 2022, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned over Boris Johnson’s handling of a scandal involving Chris Pincher. Their resignations triggered a wave of departures, leading to Johnson’s own resignation. Sunak was replaced by Nadhim Zahawi and stated he resigned over differences in leadership and integrity.
Real Estate
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty own around $20 million in real estate. Their main home is a $10 million mansion in London, and they also have a historic Yorkshire estate with a spa and heated pool. In California, they own a $7 million penthouse in Santa Monica.
FAQs About Rishi Sunak’s Net Worth
1. What is Rishi Sunak’s estimated net worth?
Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, have an estimated net worth of around £529 million (as of 2023), making him one of the wealthiest politicians in the UK.
2. How did Rishi Sunak accumulate his wealth?
Sunak’s wealth primarily comes from his career in finance, including his time at Goldman Sachs and hedge funds. His wife, Akshata Murty, is also a major shareholder in Infosys, a tech company founded by her father, adding significantly to their wealth.
3. Is Rishi Sunak the richest UK Prime Minister?
Yes, Sunak is considered the wealthiest Prime Minister in British history, surpassing even the British monarchy in personal wealth.
4. What are the main sources of his income?
His wealth comes from investments, hedge fund earnings, and his wife’s Infosys shares, which provide significant dividend payments.
5. Has his wealth caused political controversy?
Yes, his immense wealth has sparked debates over whether he can relate to the struggles of ordinary citizens, especially during economic crises like the cost-of-living crisis in the UK.
Conclusion
Rishi Sunak’s net worth reflects his background in finance and his marriage into a wealthy business family. While his wealth has given him financial independence, it has also raised political challenges regarding his ability to connect with the general public. Despite controversies, his financial acumen has played a key role in his political career.
