Azim Premji
Former chairman of Wipro and one of the world’s most generous philanthropists
- Age
- 81 yrs
- Birthday in 270 days
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 4
- Most recent 2013
- Profile views
- 2
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Azim Premji transformed his family’s vegetable-oil company, Wipro, into one of India’s largest IT services firms. He has given a large part of his fortune to the Azim Premji Foundation, which works on public education, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in the world.
Biography
Wipro
Premji was studying engineering at Stanford when his father died in 1966, and at 21 he returned to run Western India Vegetable Products. He diversified the company into consumer goods and, from the 1980s, into computers and software. As Wipro, it became one of India’s leading IT services companies. He stepped down as executive chairman in 2019, handing over to his son Rishad.
Philanthropy
He founded the Azim Premji Foundation in 2001 and Azim Premji University in Bengaluru in 2010, and in 2013 became the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge. He has endowed the foundation with a large share of his Wipro holdings. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.
Foundation’s work
The Azim Premji Foundation works with state governments to improve public school education, training teachers and running district institutes across several states, and supports civil-society organisations. During the Covid-19 pandemic it committed large sums to relief and healthcare.
Personal style
Premji is famous for his frugality: he has been known to fly economy class and drive modest cars, and he insisted that Wipro executives do likewise. He was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2004 and 2011.
Legacy
Premji is credited with helping build India’s IT services industry into a major exporter and employer, and with setting new standards for corporate philanthropy in India. Azim Premji University has become a leading institution for education and development studies, and the foundation’s scale has made it one of the largest private philanthropies in the world.
Timeline
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1945
Born in Bombay (Mumbai), Bombay Presidency
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1966
Takes over the family business at 21
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1980
Wipro enters the IT industry
After IBM leaves India.
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2001
Founds the Azim Premji Foundation
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2004
Time 100
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2005
Padma Bhushan
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2010
Azim Premji University opens
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2011
Padma Vibhushan
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2013
Signs the Giving Pledge
First Indian to do so.
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2019
Retires as executive chairman of Wipro
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2020
Major Covid-19 relief commitments
Awards and honours
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Time 100
2004
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Padma Bhushan
2005
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Padma Vibhushan
2011
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Chevalier of the Legion of Honour
2013 · France.
Did you know?
-
1
Wipro started as Western India Vegetable Products, a cooking oil company.
-
2
He was known for flying economy class.
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3
He was the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Azim Premji?
Azim Premji transformed his family’s vegetable-oil company, Wipro, into one of India’s largest IT services firms. He has given a large part of his fortune to the Azim Premji Foundation, which works on public education, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in the world.
How old is Azim Premji?
Azim Premji is 81 years old, born on 24 July 1945 in Bombay (Mumbai), Bombay Presidency.
Where is Azim Premji from?
Azim Premji was born in Bombay (Mumbai), Bombay Presidency.
What is Azim Premji known for?
Azim Premji is best known for Transforming Wipro into an IT giant; the Azim Premji Foundation.
What awards has Azim Premji received?
Notable honours include Time 100 (2004), Padma Bhushan (2005), Padma Vibhushan (2011), Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (2013).
Who is Azim Premji married to?
Spouse: Yasmeen Premji.
References
- Azim Premji — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Azim Premji — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Azim Premji — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Azim Premji (Q380152) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Azim Premji.” TrackFame, last updated 27 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/azim-premji
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