How Did Azim Premji Make His Money?

Azim Premji’s Profile Summary

Company	Wipro
Position	Chairman of Wipro Limited, having held leadership roles within the company for decades, shaping it into one of the largest IT services providers globally.
Source of wealth	Majority stake in Wipro, dividends and capital gains from Wipro’s stock, investments through private equity and philanthropic ventures.
Also known as	Philanthropist, Education Reformer, Visionary Leader.
Age	79
Education	Stanford University – Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (unfinished at first, later completed via correspondence).
Citizenship	Indian
Residence	Bengaluru, India
Family	Wife Yasmeen Premji, sons Rishad Premji and Tariq Premji.
Website, Social Media	https://www.wipro.com/

Azim Premji's biography

Azim Premji, born on July 24, 1945, is an Indian business tycoon, philanthropist, and Chairman of Wipro Limited. He joined Wipro in 1966 after the sudden death of his father, taking over what was then a small hydrogenated cooking oil company. Under his leadership, Wipro transformed into a global IT services leader. Premji is widely regarded as one of the most influential business leaders in India, having expanded the company’s operations into software services in the late 1970s, when the industry was still in its infancy. Over the years, Wipro grew to become one of the largest tech firms in India, specializing in IT, consulting, and business process services. Apart from his business acumen, Premji is also known for his philanthropy. He founded the Azim Premji Foundation in 2001, a nonprofit focused on improving education in rural India, and pledged a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes, becoming one of the world’s largest donors. His contributions have been widely recognized, earning him numerous accolades in both business and social impact.

How did Azim Premji make money?

Azim Premji, one of India’s most successful entrepreneurs, built his fortune by turning a small family business into a global leader in the IT industry. His business journey began in 1966, when he took over Wipro after the unexpected death of his father. At that time, Wipro was engaged in the production of vegetable oils, and Azim Premji set himself the task of diversifying its business.

In the 1980s, anticipating the growing demand for technology, Premji focused on developing the IT sector. Wipro began providing software development and systems integration services. These steps allowed the company to expand into international markets and offer its services to large corporate clients.

Today, Wipro’s revenue is based on IT services, including cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and consulting. The company serves customers in more than 50 countries and generates annual revenues of over $10 billion. Under Premji’s leadership, Wipro has become the third-largest IT company in India and a key player in the global market.

Azim Premji's net worth is estimated at over $20 billion. His capitalization is based on his stake in Wipro, as well as investments in related industries. Charity remains an important aspect of his activities: a significant part of his wealth is directed to educational and social projects through the Azim Premji Foundation.
What is Azim Premji net worth?

As of 2025, Azim Premji's net worth is estimated to be $11.9 B.

What is Azim Premji also known as?

Azim Premji is highly regarded for his philanthropic contributions, particularly through the Azim Premji Foundation, which focuses on improving primary education in India. He is also known as an education reformer, having committed a substantial part of his wealth to initiatives aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure and teaching quality in underserved regions. His visionary leadership extends beyond business, as he has influenced corporate social responsibility practices in India and championed ethical business standards throughout his career.

Prominent achievements of Azim Premji

Ranked among the world's most powerful people by Forbes, named one of the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine, recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2005) and Padma Vibhushan (2011) by the Government of India for his contributions to trade and philanthropy, recognized as one of the world’s largest philanthropists, his wealth peaked at over $33 billion in 2024.

What are Azim Premji’s key insights?

Azim Premji emphasizes simplicity, integrity, and long-term vision in business. He believes in building sustainable businesses that not only generate profit but also positively impact society. His core principles focus on ethical leadership, social responsibility, and humility. Premji also advocates for reinvesting wealth back into society, particularly in education, to create lasting change.

Azim Premji’s personal life

Azim Premji is married to Yasmeen Premji, a noted author and philanthropist. They have two sons: Rishad Premji, who is the current Executive Chairman of Wipro Limited, and Tariq Premji, who is involved in the family’s philanthropic initiatives and manages private investments.

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