Rishi Sunak served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 2022 to July 2024, leading the Conservative Party through a period of economic difficulty and internal division. He was the first British Asian and the first Hindu to hold the office, and his resignation after the 2024 general election marked the end of a rapid but turbulent political rise.
Born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent, Sunak was educated at Winchester College, studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University, and earned an MBA from Stanford University. Before entering politics, he worked as an analyst for Goldman Sachs and later as a hedge fund manager, amassing significant personal wealth.
Sunak remains the Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, and his combined family net worth with his wife Akshata Murty is estimated at approximately $871 million (£640 million), making him the wealthiest former prime minister in modern British history.
Who is Rishi Sunak?
- Rishi Sunak served as UK Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024, the shortest tenure of any Conservative PM in recent history.
- He was the first British Asian and first Hindu to hold the office of Prime Minister.
- His resignation in July 2024 followed the Conservative Party’s heavy defeat in the general election.
- Sunak’s personal wealth, primarily through his wife Akshata Murty’s stake in Infosys, makes him one of the richest MPs in Parliament.
- His Hindu faith has been a notable aspect of his public identity, including lighting diyas at Downing Street for Diwali.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Southampton, England |
| Education | Winchester College, Oxford University (PPE), Stanford University (MBA) |
| First Elected | 2015 as MP for Richmond (Yorks) |
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | February 2020 to July 2022 |
| Prime Minister | 25 October 2022 to 5 July 2024 |
| Spouse | Akshata Murty (married 2009) |
| Religion | Hindu |
What is Rishi Sunak’s religion?
Sunak is a devout Hindu. He took his oath of office as Prime Minister on the Bhagavad Gita, and has publicly celebrated Diwali at Downing Street. His faith has been a defining personal characteristic throughout his public career, and he has spoken about how it shapes his values and worldview.
What is Rishi Sunak’s net worth?
The combined wealth of Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty is estimated at approximately $871 million (£640 million) as of 2025, according to Time magazine and the Sunday Times Rich List. This makes them the 245th richest family in the UK. The wealth comes primarily from Murty’s family fortune — her father is Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy — and from Sunak’s own career in hedge fund management, including a share of a £100 million fund in 2008. Sunak personally earned approximately $2.8 million (£2.2 million) in the 2022–2023 tax year from investments, plus a parliamentary salary of £86,584 in 2023–2024.
Why did Rishi Sunak resign as Prime Minister?
Rishi Sunak resigned as Prime Minister on 5 July 2024, the day after the Conservative Party suffered a landslide defeat in the general election. Labour, led by Keir Starmer, won a large majority. In his resignation speech, Sunak described the result as a “sobering verdict” from the British public. He also stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party.
The 2024 general election was called by Sunak earlier than expected. The Conservative Party had been in power since 2010, and the campaign was dominated by issues including the cost of living, NHS waiting lists, and immigration. The final result gave Labour a majority of more than 170 seats, the worst Conservative performance in modern history.
When did Rishi Sunak become Prime Minister?
Sunak became Prime Minister on 25 October 2022, after winning the Conservative Party leadership contest. He succeeded Liz Truss, whose 49-day tenure was the shortest in British history. Sunak was elected leader by his fellow MPs and party members following Truss’s resignation. He was the third Conservative prime minister in less than three months.
What is the latest Rishi Sunak news?
In July 2025, Sunak rejoined Goldman Sachs as a senior advisor, a role from which he donates his salary to his charity, The Richmond Project, according to Fortune. He continues to serve as MP for Richmond and Northallerton, and remains a backbench Conservative MP. No further public announcements about future political leadership ambitions have been made.
Who is Rishi Sunak’s wife?
Rishi Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, whom he met while studying at Stanford University. They married in August 2009 and have two daughters, Krishna (born 2011) and Anoushka (born 2013). Murty is the daughter of Narayana Murthy, the billionaire co-founder of the Indian technology giant Infosys. She holds a significant stake in the company, which forms the bulk of the couple’s wealth.
During the 2024 election campaign, Murty faced scrutiny over her tax status and the non-declaration of financial interests, specifically her Infosys shareholdings. However, she was not an MP or government minister, so she did not resign from a political role. Her husband’s resignation as prime minister followed the election loss.
Akshata Murty’s father, Narayana Murthy, co-founded Infosys in 1981, which grew into one of India’s largest IT companies. Her mother, Sudha Murty, is a well-known author and philanthropist. The family’s wealth has been a recurring topic in British political discourse, particularly in debates about tax arrangements and transparency.
Does Rishi Sunak have any health issues?
There are no major public records of significant health issues affecting Rishi Sunak. He has maintained a high-profile public life since his resignation, including regular appearances in Parliament and public engagements. No official statements about specific health conditions have been made, and he has not disclosed any medical concerns.
Did Rishi Sunak have an accident?
No widely reported accident involving Rishi Sunak has been confirmed. The search term may refer to a minor incident or a misattributed query. No credible news sources have documented a significant accident or injury affecting him during his political career. The available evidence suggests this is not a verified event.
Rishi Sunak: Political Career Timeline
- – Elected MP for Richmond (Yorks)
- – Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson
- – Resigned as Chancellor, triggering a government crisis
- – Elected Leader of the Conservative Party
- – Became Prime Minister
- – General election – Conservative Party loses heavily
- – Resigned as Prime Minister and party leader
Source: Wikipedia – Rishi Sunak
What We Know – and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Rishi Sunak was UK Prime Minister from 25 October 2022 to 5 July 2024. | The exact nature of the “accident” query is unclear – no widely reported accident involving Rishi Sunak has been confirmed. |
| He is married to Akshata Murty and has two children. | Specific health issues have not been publicly disclosed; only general statements about his fitness are available. |
| He is a Hindu and was raised in a Hindu family. | The full extent of his post-PM political plans is unknown. |
| His net worth is estimated at £640 million including his wife’s assets. | — |
| He resigned after the 2024 general election loss. | — |
Analysis and Political Context
Rishi Sunak’s rise to power was rapid. He entered Parliament in 2015, became Chancellor of the Exchequer within five years, and was Prime Minister by 2022. His tenure as chancellor was defined by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which he oversaw a massive government bailout package. As prime minister, he faced persistent economic challenges, including high inflation and strained public finances, as well as deep internal divisions within the Conservative Party.
His resignation after the 2024 election reflects the scale of the Conservative Party’s loss. He remains an MP and may influence future party leadership contests, though no formal ambitions have been stated. His Hindu faith and British Indian heritage have been significant in British politics, symbolising increasing diversity in high office. According to The Guardian, his background represents a notable shift in the demographics of UK political leadership.
For broader context, see our article on UK Prime Ministers: A Complete List and the Conservative Party Leadership History.
Key Sources and Quotations
“I am honoured and privileged to be appointed UK Prime Minister.”
– Rishi Sunak, 25 October 2022
“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict.”
– Rishi Sunak, resignation speech, 5 July 2024
Key sources for this article include the official government profile of Rishi Sunak, his personal website, Britannica, and BBC News coverage of his resignation. Additional details were drawn from the Parliament UK membership page.
What’s Next for Rishi Sunak?
Sunak remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, representing the northern UK region, and resides in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton. He may continue to serve as a backbench MP or pursue future leadership ambitions. As of early 2025, no public announcements have been made about future political roles or business ventures beyond his advisory position at Goldman Sachs. For more information on his career trajectory, see our article on Conservative Party Leadership History.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rishi Sunak?
Born 12 May 1980, he is currently 44 years old (as of 2025).
What is Rishi Sunak’s educational background?
He attended Winchester College, studied PPE at Oxford, and earned an MBA from Stanford.
Does Rishi Sunak have children?
Yes, he and his wife Akshata Murty have two daughters.
What does Rishi Sunak do now?
He is the MP for Richmond and Northallerton and a former Prime Minister.
Did Rishi Sunak have an accident?
No verified public reports of a significant accident exist. The search term may be a misunderstanding or a rare minor incident.
Margaret Ellison is Editor-in-Chief at RegionalReport.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions. She writes occasional leader columns and major regional news stories.