At first Akshata Murty appeared to be merely a support system for Rishi Sunak, most likely to be spotted by her husband's side, but after well over a year in the role of the UK's 'First Lady', Akshata really seems to have come into her own as the wife of the Prime Minister.
Recently Akshata Murty played the role of hostess to Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, welcoming President Zelensky's wife to Number 10 and enjoying an emotional rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem together, performed by the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus – a choir made up of Ukrainian singers affected by the war that's currently raging on between Ukraine and Russia.
As she appears in the spotlight more and more, the woman supporting Rishi Sunak behind the scenes is becoming better known - but there are a lot of questions cropping up, especially around Akshata Murty's bank balance, considering she's richer than some of the royals.
Here's everything you need to know about the Indian-born heiress who married the now-Prime Minister back in 2009.
How did Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty meet?
Akshata met Rishi while studying at Stanford University in America in 2004, where Rishi had won a prestigious Fulbright scholarship. Tatler described her as ‘an artistic and fashion-loving student with a deep passion for India’s traditional craftsmanship.’ Apparently, Rishi even switched classes just to get to know the girl with 'glossy black hair tumbling everywhere' better.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference last year, Akshata shared that Rishi's 'smart suits and love for hoodies' were what initially caught her eye when they met at just 24 years old.
The millionaire heiress has received a great deal of attention since her husband Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assumed office in October 2022.
When did Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty get married?
The pair tied the knot in August 2009 after five years of courtship. Whilst many people assumed that the nuptials would be incredibly lavish, the wedding was actually relatively simple and traditional.
The two-day ceremony was hosted in Akshata's hometown of Bangalore.
Speaking to TheTimes, Rishi said of his marriage, 'My family all drink, my wife definitely drinks. It massively irritates her that I don't,' adding that he was persuaded to have a couple of shots before his wedding to Akshata, but didn't enjoy the taste.
Who is Akshata Murty's dad?
Her father Narayana Murty co-founded IT company Infosys in 1981, making him now one of the richest men in India.
It's been reported that Akshata holds £430 million in shares in her family's firm - which actually makes her richer than King Charles. The business currently has an office in Moscow, which raised many questions in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Where is Rishi Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty, from?
Despite Akshata's massive fortune, she was brought up with much less. In fact, her own father learnt about her birth in 1980 through a colleague, as the family did not own a phone.
At just a few months old, Akshata went to live with her grandparents so that her mother and father could focus on advancing their careers in Mumbai. After one year, her father Narayana founded Infosys - the company that would go on to create generational wealth for the Murty family.
Akshata's mother, Sudha Murty, was the first female engineer to work at TELCO (India's biggest car manufacturer), and also found success as an author. But despite the family's new success, Akshata and her brother, Rohan, had a very normal upbringing. According to AFP, siblings grew up with no television in their house, and rode a rickshaw to school like their friends,.
And the millionaire heiress doesn't forget her humble beginnings. Speaking about wealth, Akshata said in an interview in 2017, ‘Class does not mean possession of a huge amount of money. There are plenty of wrong ways to earn money in this world. You may be rich enough to buy comfort and luxuries, but the same money doesn’t define class or give you the ability to purchase it. The concept that you automatically gain class by acquiring money is an outdated thought process.’
How do Akshata Murty's friends describe her?
In her profile with Tatler - in which she did not give an interview, but allowed her close friends to spill some secrets - Akshata was described as 'a reserved, rather sweet, nerdy person'.
Another friend later added, 'Akshata is a total feeder. You come away from any meal in her house stuffed to bursting, with a Tupperware box of food in your hands for the next day. Just as you’re leaving, she and Rishi go to the fridge and load you up – they both hate waste.’
Where did Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty study?
Rishi Sunak's wife was born in Hubli, India, before moving to Bangalore where she attended Baldwin Girls' High School. She then went to Claremont McKenna College in California, and completed a Masters in Business Administration at Stanford University, where she met Rishi.
What is Akshata Murty's net worth?
She's built an impressive reputation for herself, but most of her fortune comes from her father's impressive dynasty. Holding a share of her father's company, it's been reported that her net worth sits around £51 billion.
What is Rishi Sunak's net worth?
By contrast, Akshata's husband Rishi has an estimated net worth of £200m according to The Sun. According to the Sunday Times' Rich List, the couple's combined wealth is a massive £730 million - which is more than his majesty King Charles III.
The couple own ‘at least four properties’, including a £7 million house in Kensington where they live - when not in the flat above Number 10, that is - with their two children, Krishna and Anoushka. Their other properties include a country house in Yorkshire - Rishi's constituency - called Kirby Sigston Manor which was acquired for £1.5 million and boasts a pool and gym.
Who are Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty's children?
The couple share two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka.
Their two daughters attend a prestigious private all-girls school in South Kensington, where Victoria and David Beckham's daughter Harper Beckham is apparently a fellow pupil.
The couple choose to keep their daughters out of the limelight, although they do sometimes make an appearance alongside their parents.
Speaking about his vow to drive down crime rates, Rishi admitted that he was motivated to do so by his daughters sharing, 'I come to it as a parent. My eldest is at the age where she’s starting to walk to places by herself or is wanting to.
'She turned 11 and then she was allowed to walk to school by herself — which she didn’t end up doing for lots of other reasons. But it brings it home to you as a parent. I want to make sure my kids and everyone else can walk around safely. That’s what any parent wants for their children.'
What is Akshata Murty's job?
In 2007, Rishi's wife set up her own fashion brand called Akshata Designs after studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA. The aim of the company was to celebrate Indian culture by sourcing and championing artists in remote villages, working with them to draw inspiration and create something new.
'I’m about the story behind a particular garment, its authenticity, craftsmanship and protecting a rich heritage,' she told Vogue. 'I care about doing something in India, for India, because it’s part of our family’s DNA.'
Akshata also holds shares in her family business Infosys, and on her LinkedIn is listed as director of the business she and Rishi set up together called Catamaran Ventures, the gym chain Digme Fitness, and the Etonian tailor New & Lingwood. She's also been linked to Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria.
Does Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty have non-dom status?
Back in April before Rishi became Prime Minister, Akshata was revealed to have non-dom status in the UK, after it was revealed that she used said status to avoid some taxes.
Put simply, non-dom status meant she didn't have to pay UK tax on income from foreign investments, rental payments on overseas properties, or bank interest. It's been estimated that Akshata may have been able to save around £20 million through having non-dom status.
At the time, a spokesperson said, 'Akshata Murty is a citizen of India, the country of her birth and parent’s home. India does not allow its citizens to hold the citizenship of another country simultaneously. So, according to British law, Ms Murty is treated as non-domiciled for UK tax purposes. She has always and will continue to pay UK taxes on all her UK income.'
In response to a public outcry, Akshata relinquished her non-dom status and now pays British taxes on all her worldwide income.
In a statement at the time, she said, 'It has become clear that many do not feel it is compatible with my husband’s role as chancellor. I understand and appreciate the British sense of fairness and I do not wish my tax status to be a distraction for my husband or to affect my family.'
She added, 'Rishi has always respected the fact that I am Indian and as proud of my country as he is of his. He has never asked me to abandon my Indian citizenship, ties to India, or my business affairs, despite the ways in which such a move would have simplified things for him politically'
'My decision to pay UK tax on all my worldwide income will not change the fact that India remains the country of my birth, citizenship, parents’ home and place of domicile. But I love the UK too. In my time here I have invested in British businesses and supported British causes.'
Does Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty do business with Russia?
After Russia invaded Ukraine and Rishi urged UK businesses to 'think very carefully about their investments in Russia and how they may aid the Putin regime', it was questioned whether his wife and family were actually benefiting from business with Russia themselves...
When asked about his wife's shares, Rishi told reporters, 'I'm an elected politician and I'm here to talk to you about what I'm responsible for. My wife is not.'
The PM denied he or his family were profiting from any business with Russia, insisting 'I really don't think that's the case.'
A spokesperson for Infosys told Sky News, 'Infosys supports and advocates for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Infosys has a small team of employees based out of Russia that services some of our global clients, locally. We do not have any active business relationships with local Russian enterprises.'
Why was Rishi Sunak investigated over Koru Kids?
The couple previously hit headlines after Parliament's commissioner for standards announced an investigation into Rishi Sunak over a potential breach of rules relating to the declaration of interests, understood to be related to his links to a childcare firm in which his wife is an investor.
While an update posted did not include any details of the enquiry, it did say that it relates to paragraph six of the updated code of conduct for MPs, which states they 'must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the house or its committees'.
It comes after Rishi announced a pilot scheme that would incentivise people to become childminders, with £1,200 offered to those who train through specific childcare agencies. Koru Kids, which Akshata Murty is listed as a shareholder in, was among six private childcare providers likely to benefit from the scheme.
When speaking about childcare changes before the liason committee, Rishi was asked by the Labour MP Catherine McKinnell whether he had any interests to declare. 'No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way,' he told her.
Does Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty have social media?
Yes. You can follow her over on @akshatamurty_official to keep up with everything she's been up to.
What are Akshata Murty's plans as the UK's First Lady?
When Rishi Sunak first became Prime Minister, a close friend told Tatler that Carrie Johnson and Akshata Sunak couldn't be more different, saying, 'There will be a different vibe now. Akshata is putting her stamp on that and is rolling out plans for more events and meetings.'
They continued, 'She wants to open up the state rooms as much as possible, so that the public gets to understand the building’s history and its significance. She is keen to celebrate the stories of Britain through Downing Street – whether the visitors are heads of state or members of the public.'