He basically changed the way India works. But if you look at the Google results for net worth Narayana Murthy, you'll see a bunch of conflicting billions that don't quite tell the whole story. As of early 2026, the numbers generally hover around $4.8 billion, but honestly, pinning down a billionaire's exact cash on hand is a fool’s errand. Most of that wealth is tied up in the very company he started in a small apartment with about $250.
It is a massive jump from those early days.
Murthy isn't your typical "flashy" billionaire either. You won’t see him on a 300-foot yacht or buying a sports team. Instead, he’s famously frugal—kinda like the Warren Buffett of India. He still lives in the same middle-class Bangalore neighborhood he’s been in for decades. This makes the multi-billion dollar valuation even more surreal.
Where the Money Actually Is: The Infosys Engine
Most of the net worth Narayana Murthy holds comes from his stake in Infosys. Even though he retired years ago and is now "Chairman Emeritus," he still owns about 15,145,638 shares. That's roughly 0.41% of the company. On paper, it doesn't sound like much. But when the company is worth billions, those fractions add up fast.
Just last week, in mid-January 2026, Infosys shares jumped about 5% after some strong Q3 results. That single afternoon added over ₹100 crore to his personal wealth. It’s wild to think about.
But it’s not just him. The "Murthy Family" is a financial powerhouse in its own right:
- Sudha Murty: She owns a bigger slice than he does, roughly 0.93%.
- Rohan Murty: Their son holds about 1.64%.
- Akshata Murty: Their daughter (and wife of former UK PM Rishi Sunak) has around 1.05%.
- Ekagrah Murty: Even the grandson is in the mix with a small but significant 1.5 million shares.
When you add it all up, the family controls over 4% of the IT giant. That combined stake is worth north of ₹28,000 crore.
The Dividend Windfall
The real "spendable" money for the Murthys doesn't come from selling shares. They rarely do that. It comes from dividends.
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In late 2025, the family reportedly pulled in a staggering ₹347 crore in interim dividends alone. Narayana Murthy’s personal cut of that was roughly ₹34.8 crore. For a guy who famously flies economy and cleans his own toilets, that is a lot of pocket change.
Catamaran Ventures: The Billion-Dollar Pivot
While Infosys is the old reliable, Catamaran Ventures is where the new-age wealth is growing. This is Murthy’s family office. It manages roughly $1.3 billion in assets.
For a long time, Catamaran was the "cool" investor in Indian startups. But things have changed lately. If you've been following the news in 2025 and 2026, Catamaran has actually been pretty vocal about the "valuation bubble" in the startup world. They’ve basically stopped throwing money at unprofitable tech apps.
Instead, they're pivoting. Hard.
What Catamaran is Buying Now
- Manufacturing: They are looking at aerospace and EV components.
- Deep Tech: Investing in things that actually require a lab, not just an app.
- SpaceX: Yes, they actually have a stake in Elon Musk's space venture.
- NSE: They hold a piece of the National Stock Exchange of India.
Deepak Padaki, the guy running Catamaran, recently mentioned that they are steering clear of "turnaround-heavy" deals. They want quality. They want profit. They are basically applying Narayana Murthy's old-school business logic to the modern era.
The "70-Hour Work Week" Controversy and Value
You can't talk about net worth Narayana Murthy without mentioning his philosophy on work. A couple of years ago, he nearly broke the Indian internet by suggesting young people should work 70 hours a week. People were furious.
But here’s the thing: his wealth is a direct result of that exact intensity. When he started Infosys in 1981, he wasn't looking for "work-life balance." He was looking for survival. He spent years away from his kids, building a global delivery model that didn't exist yet.
Whether you agree with his 70-hour rule or not, it’s the engine that built his $4.8 billion fortune. He believes that India can't become a global power on a 40-hour week. It’s a controversial take, but he’s consistent. He lives what he preaches.
Philanthropy: Where the Billions Go to Die (in a Good Way)
Narayana Murthy and his wife, Sudha, are probably more famous for giving money away than for making it. Through the Infosys Foundation, they've spent hundreds of millions on:
- Rural education and libraries.
- Healthcare in underserved areas.
- The "Infosys Prize," which gives $100,000 to researchers every year.
They treat philanthropy like a business. It’s about impact, not just writing checks. Sudha Murty once said that "money is a heavy burden," and they seem genuinely intent on lightening that load before they're gone.
What Most People Get Wrong
People see the $4.8 billion headline and think of Scrooge McDuck. They think he’s sitting on a pile of gold.
In reality, his wealth is almost entirely "notional." If he tried to sell all his Infosys shares tomorrow, the price would crash, and his net worth would evaporate. He is "rich" because the market trusts his legacy.
Also, people forget that he's not even the richest founder of Infosys anymore. Because he gave away so many shares early on to employees and co-founders, and because of his massive philanthropic outflows, his rank on the Forbes list is often lower than people expect.
Summary of the Murthy Wealth Model
- Core Asset: 15.1 million shares of Infosys (INFY).
- Annual Income: Hundreds of crores in dividends.
- Family Office: Catamaran Ventures ($1.3 billion AUM).
- Lifestyle: High-frugality, low-consumption.
- Philanthropy: Heavy focus on the Infosys Foundation.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're looking at the net worth Narayana Murthy as a blueprint for your own wealth, there are a few real-world takeaways you can actually use.
First, compounding is king. He has held his Infosys shares for over 40 years. He didn't day-trade his way to billions. He sat still while the company grew.
Second, dividends provide freedom. By owning a massive chunk of a profitable, cash-flow-positive business, he ensured a massive "salary" for himself and his kids without ever having to touch the principal investment.
Lastly, diversify once you've won. Catamaran Ventures exists because Murthy knows that even a giant like Infosys won't grow at 20% forever. He is moving his family's future into manufacturing and space tech because that's where the next 40 years of growth will be.
The $4.8 billion figure is just a scoreboard. The way he manages it—with extreme caution and a focus on "boring" profits—is the real lesson.
Next Steps for Your Portfolio
To apply the Murthy logic to your own finances, start by identifying "dividend aristocrats" in the tech or manufacturing sectors. These are companies with a history of increasing payouts even during market dips. Additionally, review your long-term holdings; Murthy’s wealth was built on decades of holding, not months of trading. Focus on accumulating assets that pay you to own them.