Sudha Murty is a famous Indian writer, social worker and helper of poor people. On December 4, 2025, we share her life story. She shows how hard work and kindness can change lives.
Early Life
Sudha Murty came to this world on August 19, 1950. She was born in Shiggaon town. This place is in Haveri district of Karnataka state. Her father's name was Dr. R.H. Kulkarni. He worked as a surgeon. Her mother was Vimala Kulkarni. She taught in a school. Sudha grew up in a simple home. Her family loved books and studies a lot. From small age, Sudha read many stories. She liked to learn new things. Her parents pushed her to study well. In school, she was top in class always. Boys and girls played together there. But Sudha dreamed big. She wanted to do engineering. In those days, few girls chose that path. Sudha did not care. She worked hard day and night.
School life was fun for her. She walked to classes every day. Teachers liked her sharp mind. Friends called her smart girl. At home, mother told old tales. Father spoke of helping sick people. These shaped her heart. Sudha saw poor kids without books. She felt sad for them. Even as child, she shared her toys. Her family moved sometimes for father's job. But roots stayed in Karnataka soil. Sudha learned Kannada first. Later she picked English and Hindi. This helped her later in life. By age 10, she knew she must help others. Her simple childhood built strong will.
Sudha Murty Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Family
Education
Sudha joined B.V.B. College of Engineering. It is now KLE Technological University in Hubli. She took Electrical and Electronics course. She was one of few girls there. Boys laughed at first. Sudha proved them wrong. She scored high marks always. Teachers praised her projects. After that, she went to Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. There she did Master's in Computer Science. It was 1974. Computers were new then. Sudha loved machines and codes. She finished top of her class. Many jobs came her way. But she picked TELCO. It is now Tata Motors in Pune.
At TELCO, Sudha became first female engineer. No girl worked there before. Bosses said no to women. Sudha wrote letter to JRD Tata. He was big boss of Tata group. Her words touched him. He said yes to her job. Sudha joined in 1974. She worked till 1982. Her job was to fix systems and machines. She traveled to plants. Workers respected her soon. Sudha saved company money with smart ideas. She met Narayana Murty there. He was her friend first. They shared lunch often. Narayana dreamed of own company. Sudha gave him Rs 10,000 from savings. This started Infosys in 1981. She could not join full time. But her support built big empire.
After TELCO, she worked at Walchand Group. Role was Senior Systems Analyst. But heart pulled to social work. In 1996, she started Infosys Foundation. She led it for 25 years. Now she guides from side. Sudha left engineering for bigger goals. Her degrees opened doors. But she used them to help nation.
Personal Life
Sudha married Narayana Murty in 1978. He is Infosys co-founder. They met at work. Love grew slow and true. Wedding was simple. No big show. Sudha wore silk saree. Family blessed them. They have two kids. Daughter is Akshata Murty. She is businesswoman and designer. Akshata married Rishi Sunak. He leads Britain now. Son is Rohan Murty. He has PhD from Harvard. Rohan runs Soroco company. It helps offices with tech. Sudha says kids are her joy. She cared for them alone many days. Narayana traveled for Infosys. Sudha taught values at home. No luxury life for them. Family eats simple food. They live modest in Bangalore.
Grandkids make her smile more. Akshata has Krishna and Anoushka. Rohan welcomed baby Ekagrah recent. Sudha writes books for them. She visits often. Family prays together. Sudha cooks for all. Her home has books everywhere. No fights over money. They share all. Sudha says marriage needs trust. She supports Narayana always. Public knows their love story. It inspires many couples.
Books That Touch Hearts
Sudha writes simple stories. Over 300 books now. Many in Kannada and English. First big one was Wise and Otherwise in 2002. It has real life tales. People liked it fast. Then Mahashweta came. It shows poor woman's fight. Kids books are fun. Grandma’s Bag of Stories sells lakhs. Gopi Diaries series for young. How I Taught My Grandmother to Read won hearts. Three Nation series on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. She writes of village life. Poor folks, kindness, mistakes. No hard words. Readers feel close. Sudha visits schools for talks. Books teach good habits. Sales help her charity. Latest ones on family bonds. She pens fast. Ideas from travels.
Her style is easy. Short tales with lessons. No magic, just truth. Awards came for writing. Bal Sahitya Puraskar in 2023. Crossword Book award too. Sudha signs books for fans. She says write from heart. Many films from her stories. But she stays simple writer.
Kind Heart for Poor
Sudha loves to give. Infosys Foundation built 60,000 libraries. Rural kids read free now. She made toilets in backward areas. Over 10,000 in Karnataka. Midday meals for hungry students. Cyclone hit Orissa? She sent help. Drought in Andhra? Aid went fast. Sewing machines to village women. Hospitals for sick poor. Scholarships to bright students. Murty Classical Library at Harvard. Her gift to world. North-East schools got books. AIIMS doctors went abroad with her money. IISc got chairs for top teachers. Sudha travels 20 days a month. She checks work herself. No big office. Just heart work. Foundation spent crores. Lives changed forever.
She hugs kids in villages. Listens to old women. Gives hope to all. Sudha says small help big change. No photo ops. Pure service. Her team follows suit. Now others copy her model.
Awards And Honors
Awards pour on Sudha. Padma Shri in 2006. For books and help. Padma Bhushan in 2023. Third top honor. R.K. Narayan Award same year. Raja-Lakshmi in 2004. Daana Chintamani in 2010. Karnataka Lifetime award. Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma in 2024. Lal Bahadur Shastri in 2020. Honorary Doctor from IIT Kanpur. Tata Literature Live in 2018. Each for different work. Government sees her mark.
On March 8, 2024, big news came. President nominated her to Rajya Sabha. PM Modi shared on Women's Day. She took oath March 14. First speech on women health. PM praised her. Sudha speaks for poor, education. Three language policy she likes. Now she shapes laws. Age 75, still active.
