Azim Premji | Wipro Founder, Net Worth, Age, Wife, & Biography.

Azim Premji is an Indian businessman and philanthropist who is widely known for his contributions to the IT industry. He is the founder of Wipro Limited, a leading global information technology, consulting, and outsourcing company. Azim Premji is one of the richest people in India, and his business acumen and philanthropic activities have made him a well-respected figure in Indian society. He is also known for his generous donations to education and healthcare initiatives, and his commitment to social responsibility. 

Quick Info 

Full Name: Azim Hashim Premji 

Known for: Founding Wipro Limited, a leading global IT services company, and his philanthropic work through the Azim Premji Foundation. 

Religion: Islam 

Caste: Premji belongs to a Muslim family. 

Age: As of Year 2023, Azim Premji was 78 years old. 

Wife: Yasmeen Premji 

Son: Rishad Premji, who is currently the chairman of Wipro Limited. 

Net Worth: As of 2023, Azim Premji's net worth was estimated at $9.3 billion USD. 

Wipro Valuation: As of September 2021, Wipro Limited had a market capitalization of approximately $25.40 billion USD. 

Foundation: The Azim Premji Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded by Azim Premji in 2001, which works towards improving the quality of education in rural areas of India.  

Net Worth 

As of 2022, Azim Premji's net worth was estimated at $9.8 billion USD. According to Forbes' 2022 Billionaires List, Azim Premji was ranked 206th richest person in the world with a net worth of $9.8 billion USD. In the Forbes India Rich List 2022, he was ranked the 18th richest person in India. 

Early Life and Education: 

Azim Hashim Premji was born on July 24, 1945, in Mumbai, India, into a wealthy Muslim family. His father, Mohamed Hashem Premji, was a successful businessman who founded Western India Vegetable Products, which later became Wipro Limited.

Azim received his early education at St. Mary's School in Mumbai and later attended Stanford University in the United States. However, due to the sudden death of his father in 1966, he had to leave his studies and return to India to take over the family business. 

Career and Business Success:

After taking over Wipro Limited, Azim Premji transformed the company from a manufacturer of vegetable oils and soaps into a major player in the IT industry. He diversified the company's operations and focused on technology, software, and IT services. Under his leadership, Wipro became a global IT services provider, with a presence in over 50 countries.

Azim's business acumen and vision have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He was named Businessman of the Year by Business India in 1999 and 2002, and in 2011, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award. 

Personal Life 

Azim Premji is married to Yasmeen Premji, and the couple has two children, Rishad and Tariq. Rishad is currently the chairman of Wipro Limited, while Tariq is involved in various social and environmental causes.

Azim is known for his simple lifestyle and his commitment to philanthropy. He has pledged to donate at least half of his wealth to charitable causes, and his Azim Premji Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of education in rural areas of India. He is also an avid reader and has often spoken about the importance of reading in his life. 

Awards and Honors 

Azim Premji has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career for his contributions to business and philanthropy. Some of his notable awards and honors include:

1. Padma Vibhushan: In 2011, Azim Premji was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, for his contributions to trade and industry.

2. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award: In 2019, he received the Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to Indian business.

3. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Azim Premji has been awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award twice, in 2002 and 2013.

4. Businessman of the Year: He has been named Businessman of the Year by Business India magazine twice, in 1999 and 2002.

5. Philanthropy Awards: Azim Premji has also been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2019 and the Edie Windsor Award for Global Justice in 2021.

Azim Premji's awards and honors reflect his significant contributions to business and society, and his commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility. 

Philanthropic Activities: 

Apart from his business success, Azim Premji is also known for his philanthropic activities. He established the Azim Premji Foundation in 2001, which works towards improving the quality of education in rural areas of India. The foundation works with various state governments and education departments to provide training and support to teachers, and to develop innovative approaches to education. 

In 2019, Azim Premji made headlines when he announced a donation of $7.5 billion to his foundation, making it one of the largest philanthropic donations in history. This donation brought his total giving to the foundation to $21 billion, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in the world. 

Conclusion: 

Azim Premji's journey from a young businessman to a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist is truly inspiring. His dedication to his work and his commitment to improving the lives of others through education and philanthropy have made him a role model for many.

As we look back on his incredible legacy, we can see that Azim Premji's impact on the IT industry, and on India as a whole, has been truly remarkable. He will always be remembered as a true visionary and a great leader.