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Azim Premji
#84Top 100 Richest People in the World

Azim Premji Net Worth

$13B

2026 estimate · Source: Wipro · India

Net Worth

$13B

Global Rank

#84

Source

Wipro

Country

India

$How Azim Premji Built Their Fortune

Azim Premji is one of India's most revered business leaders and philanthropists, celebrated for transforming Wipro from a small cooking oil company into one of the world's largest IT services and consulting firms. His five-decade leadership journey is a masterclass in strategic reinvention, disciplined execution, and unwavering commitment to values. Under his stewardship, Wipro grew from revenues of approximately $2 million to over $8 billion, creating wealth for thousands of employees and shareholders while establishing India as a global technology powerhouse.

Premji took over the family business at the age of 21 when his father passed away unexpectedly, dropping out of Stanford University to return to India. What began as a vegetable oil company called Western India Vegetable Products was systematically transformed through Premji's vision into a technology-driven enterprise. His decision in the 1980s to enter the nascent Indian IT industry proved extraordinarily prescient, and his insistence on quality, integrity, and customer focus built Wipro into a trusted partner for the world's largest corporations.

Perhaps even more remarkable than his business achievements is Azim Premji's philanthropic legacy. He has pledged to give away the majority of his wealth — over $21 billion — to the Azim Premji Foundation, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in history. The foundation focuses on improving education quality for millions of children across India, operating at a scale that is transforming rural education systems. His combination of business excellence and profound generosity has earned him comparisons to the world's greatest philanthropists and made him a role model for responsible wealth creation and distribution.

vs$13B in Perspective

To put Azim Premji's $13B fortune into context, here's what that wealth could buy:

218,914

Median U.S. household incomes

At $59,384/year

30,952

Median U.S. homes

At $420,000 each

333,418

Tesla Model 3s

At $38,990 each

120,370

Four-year college degrees

At $108,000 average

2

NFL franchises

At $4.7B average

866

Private islands

At $15,000,000 each

Key Wealth Milestones

1966

Left Stanford University at age 21 to return to India and take over the family's cooking oil business following his father's sudden death.

1980

Made the pivotal decision to enter the technology business, beginning Wipro's transformation from a consumer goods company into an IT services leader.

1999

Listed Wipro on the New York Stock Exchange, signaling the company's arrival as a global IT services player and unlocking international capital markets.

2001

Established the Azim Premji Foundation with an initial endowment focused on improving primary education quality across rural India.

2019

Pledged an additional $7.5 billion to the Azim Premji Foundation, bringing total commitments to over $21 billion — an extraordinary act of generosity.

Where Azim Premji Ranks

Global Rank#84

Top 50% of the world's wealthiest · 167 tracked

Nearest by Rank

Richest People in India

Azim Premji on Wealth & Success

If people are not laughing at your goals, your goals are too small.
I think it is important for all those blessed with wealth to come forward and show the way in terms of philanthropy.
Earning money is a skill. Giving it away wisely is an even greater one. We must find ways to bridge the gap of inequality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Azim Premji's net worth in 2026?
Azim Premji's estimated net worth is $13B as of 2026, making them the #84 richest person in the world.
How did Azim Premji make their money?
Azim Premji built their fortune through Wipro. Left Stanford University at age 21 to return to India and take over the family's cooking oil business following his father's sudden death.
Where does Azim Premji rank among the world's richest?
Azim Premji is ranked #84 on the global billionaires list, placing them in the top 100 richest people in the world.
What country is Azim Premji from?
Azim Premji is from India.
How does Azim Premji's wealth compare to everyday life?
Azim Premji's $13B could buy approximately 30,952 median U.S. homes or fund 120,370 four-year college degrees.

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AI-Generated ContentThis profile was created using AI and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, details may contain errors or be outdated. Quotes may be paraphrased or taken out of context. Achievements and figures are based on public reporting and may not be precise. This profile does not imply endorsement by the individual featured. Not financial advice.