Overview
Timelines
Public Perception and Media Coverage
Personal Life and Relationships
Early Life and Education
Overview and main events
Political Career
Political Milestones and Controversies
Family Background and Heritage
Economic Policies and Initiatives
Career in Finance
Wealth and Financial Profile
International Relations and Diplomacy
Chronicle
Articles
Rishi Sunak. Overview and main events
Overview and main events
Rishi Sunak, born on May 12, 1980, in Southampton, England, is a British politician and financier who has made significant marks in both the financial and political arenas. Of Indian descent, his grandparents emigrated from Punjab to East Africa and later to the UK. Sunak's educational and professional journey has been marked by excellence, leading him to become the first non-white, British Indian, and Hindu to serve as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
May 12, 1980
Birth
Rishi Sunak was born in Southampton, England, to Indian parents Yashvir and Usha Sunak. His grandparents had emigrated from Punjab, India, to East Africa and later to the UK in the 1960s.
1990s-2001
Education at Winchester College and Oxford University
Sunak attended the prestigious Winchester College and later studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Lincoln College, Oxford University. This period laid a strong foundation for his future academic and professional pursuits.
2001-2006
Career in Finance and Education at Stanford University
After graduating from Oxford, Sunak worked as an analyst for Goldman Sachs until 2004. He then pursued an MBA at Stanford University on a Fulbright scholarship, where he met his future wife, Akshata Murthy. Following his MBA, he worked with The Children’s Investment Fund Management (TCI) and later with Theleme Partners.
2009
Marriage and Family
Sunak married Akshata Murthy, daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, in 2009. The couple has two daughters and has amassed a significant fortune, partly due to Akshata's stake in Infosys.
2015
Election as Member of Parliament
Sunak was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Richmond in North Yorkshire, succeeding former Conservative Party leader William Hague. This marked the beginning of his political career.
February 2020
Appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Sunak was appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, replacing Sajid Javid. He played a crucial role in handling the UK's economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2022
Election as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party
Following the resignation of Liz Truss, Sunak became the leader of the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He was the first non-white, British Indian, and Hindu to hold this office.
July 2024
Resignation as Prime Minister
Sunak resigned as Prime Minister after the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election. He was succeeded by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.
July 2024 - November 2024
Leader of the Opposition
After his resignation as Prime Minister, Sunak served briefly as the Leader of the Opposition until November 2024, when he was succeeded by Kemi Badenoch.
