Rishi Sunak born 12 May 1980 is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022. The first British Asian-prime minister, he previously held two cabinet positions under Boris Johnson, lastly as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. Sunak has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (Yorks) since 2015.
After graduation, Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs and later became a partner at hedge fund firms The Children’s Investment Fund Management and Theleme Partners. He entered politics and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Richmond in North Yorkshire during the 2015 general election. As a backbencher, he actively supported the successful Brexit campaign during the 2016 EU membership referendum.
After the 2017 general election, Sunak was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government in Theresa May’s second government. He voted in favor of May’s Brexit withdrawal agreement multiple times, even though it was rejected by Parliament, leading to May’s resignation.
During the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election, Sunak supported Boris Johnson, who became the Conservative leader and prime minister. In July 2019, Johnson appointed Sunak as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Following the 2019 general election, Sunak was promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2020 cabinet reshuffle, succeeding Sajid Javid. In this role, he played a prominent part in the government’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including initiatives like the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Eat Out to Help Out. He also dealt with challenges such as the cost of living crisis, UK energy supply issues, and global energy challenges.
Sunak resigned as chancellor in July 2022 amid a government crisis that led to Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister.
Personal life
In August 2009, Rishi Sunak tied the knot with Akshata Murty, who happens to be the daughter of N. R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty. Notably, his father-in-law is the founder of the technology giant Infosys, in which Akshata Murty holds a stake. The couple first met while pursuing their studies at Stanford University in the United States. They have been blessed with two daughters, Krishna (born in 2011) and Anoushka (born in 2013).
Their property portfolio includes several residences: Kirby Sigston Manor in the village of Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, a mews house in Earl’s Court in central London, a flat on the Old Brompton Road in South Kensington, and a penthouse apartment on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California.
Rishi Sunak Wife
Akshata Murty is the wife of Rishi Sunak, the prominent British politician who has served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom. Akshata was born into a highly influential and wealthy family in India. Her father, N. R. Narayana Murthy, is a renowned entrepreneur and one of the co-founders of Infosys, one of India’s largest and most significant IT services companies. Her mother, Sudha Murty, is a well-known philanthropist and author.
As the daughter of Narayana Murthy, Akshata Murty holds a significant stake in Infosys, which is one of the most prominent companies in India’s technology sector. This connection to Infosys has added to her family’s substantial wealth.
Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak crossed paths while pursuing their higher education at Stanford University in the United States. Their marriage in August 2009 marked the union of two families with notable accomplishments in the fields of technology, business, and public service.
The couple has since had two daughters, Krishna (born in 2011) and Anoushka (born in 2013). They have been known to lead a relatively private life, but their connections to business and politics have occasionally brought them into the public eye.
In addition to their family life, Sunak and Murty have a notable property portfolio, including residences in various locations, such as Kirby Sigston Manor in North Yorkshire, a mews house in Earl’s Court, London, a flat in South Kensington, and a penthouse apartment in Santa Monica, California.
Notably, in April 2022, there were reports that Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty had moved out of the flat above 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK Prime Minister, to a newly refurbished home in West London, citing domestic reasons for the relocation. This garnered media attention and speculation about their living arrangements.
Rishi Sunak net worth of $844 million
Together, Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty are estimated to have a substantial fortune, totaling around £730 million ($844 million), based on the Sunday Times Rich List.
The major portion of Akshata Murty’s wealth is linked to her ownership of a 0.93% stake in Infosys, a tech giant with a market capitalization of approximately $75 billion. Besides, she also has a stake in Catamaran Ventures U.K., which is her father’s venture capital and private equity firm’s British branch. This firm holds interests in various companies, including a luxury furniture brand co-owned by Rupert Murdoch’s eldest daughter.
Despite efforts to contact them, Catamaran Ventures did not respond to CNBC’s request for comments.
The couple, who originally crossed paths while pursuing their MBAs at Stanford University, reportedly own at least four properties with a combined estimated value of £18.3 million. This property portfolio includes a California apartment.
Before residing in Downing Street, their main home was a five-bedroom house in Kensington, London, valued at approximately £6.6 million. During weekends, they would retreat to a Grade II-listed property in Yorkshire, as noted by The Guardian.
Rishi Sunak Height
At 170cm (or 5 foot 6 inches), he is also one of the UK’s shortest premiers on record, a matter of increasing obsession online, with Google searches into the matter spiking over the course of the week.
Prime Minister’s height with that of his predecessors:
- Liz Truss (2022-22) – 5 feet 5¼ inches
- Boris Johnson (2019-22) – 5 feet 9 inches
- Theresa May (2016-19) – 5 feet 6 inches
- David Cameron (2010-16) – 6 feet ½ inch
- Gordon Brown (2007-10) – 5 feet 11 inches
- Tony Blair (1997-2007) – 6 feet
- John Major (1990-97) – 5 feet 11 inches
- Margaret Thatcher (1979-90) – 5 feet 5 inches
- James Callaghan (1976-79) – 6 feet 1 inch
- Harold Wilson (1964-70) – 5 feet 8 inches
- Alec Douglas-Home (1963-64) – 6 feet 1 inch
- Harold Macmillan (1957-63) – 6 feet
- Winston Churchill (1940-45, then 1951-55) – 5 feet 6 inches