Azim Premji Success Story: How Wipro’s Founder Became India’s Most Humble Billionaire

November 14, 2025
Rohit
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Azim Premji is one of those rare business leaders who built a huge company without losing his simplicity or values. Many people know him as the man behind Wipro, but his journey is much deeper than just business success. It’s a story of responsibility, hard work, vision, and a strong desire to help others.

This rewritten article covers his childhood, his early challenges, the rise of Wipro, the choices that shaped his life, and the massive impact of his philanthropy. Everything is explained in an easy, human way so that any reader can understand and enjoy it.

Table of Contents

Childhood and Family Background

Azim Hashim Premji was born on 24 July 1945 in Mumbai. His family was originally from Gujarat. His father, Mohamed Hashim Premji, was already a well-known businessman who had large operations in Burma and India. Because of his successful rice business, he was often called the “Rice King of Burma.”

Azim Premji grew up in a comfortable but disciplined environment. His father believed in honesty, hard work, and living a simple life. These values stayed with Premji throughout his entire journey.

He completed his schooling in Mumbai and later enrolled at Stanford University to study electrical engineering. No one knew that life would soon give him a huge responsibility much earlier than he expected.

Taking Over Wipro at Age 21

In 1966, while Azim Premji was still studying abroad, his father passed away suddenly. Premji immediately returned to India to take charge of the family business, Western India Vegetable Products Ltd, commonly known as Wipro.

Imagine being just 21 and suddenly being responsible for running a company. Many people doubted him. Some even suggested that the company should be sold because they weren’t sure a young student could handle it.

But Premji didn’t back out. Instead, he took this challenge seriously and began understanding every part of the business. At that time, Wipro mainly produced vanaspati (cooking fat) and soaps. Premji strengthened the operations and also expanded into new products. This period taught him management, discipline, and decision-making—skills that later helped him build one of the biggest IT companies in the world.

A Big Decision: Moving Into the Technology World

During the late 1970s, India had not yet entered the computer era. But Azim Premji had a strong intuition that technology would define the future. He saw how computers were starting to grow globally and believed India could also become a technology hub one day.

So in 1980, he made a bold decision:
He shifted Wipro’s focus from consumer products to technology and software.

This was not an easy choice. Wipro was doing well with oils and soaps. But Premji thought long term. He renamed the company simply as Wipro and invested heavily in computer manufacturing, training engineers, and building software capabilities.

This decision changed not only Wipro’s destiny, but also helped shape India’s future IT industry.

How Wipro Became a Global IT Leader

The shift toward technology proved to be a masterstroke. Over the years, Wipro introduced high-quality software services, IT consulting, system integration solutions, and business process services.

Premji insisted on strong processes and high standards. Wipro became one of the first Indian companies to meet top global quality certifications. His leadership helped Wipro win clients across the world.

Some key reasons behind Wipro’s success include:

A strong focus on quality
Investment in training and skill development
Early entry into global markets
Building trust through ethical business practices
Focusing on long-term outcomes instead of quick wins

By the 1990s and 2000s, Wipro became one of the top IT companies in India and a respected name globally.

Table: Key Moments in Azim Premji’s Journey (Simple & Easy to Read)

Year	What Happened
1945	Azim Premji was born in Mumbai
1966	Returned from Stanford after father’s death to run Wipro
1970s	Expanded Wipro into more consumer products
1980	Entered the IT and computer sector, renamed company as Wipro
1984	Started focusing strongly on software development
1990s	Wipro became a major global IT services company
2000	Wipro listed on the New York Stock Exchange
2001	Launched the Azim Premji Foundation
2010	Donated most of his Wipro shares for charity
2013	Became the first Indian to join The Giving Pledge
2019	Stepped down as Wipro Chairman; son Rishad Premji took over
2020–2024	Continued expanding philanthropic work across India

The Leadership Style That Set Him Apart

Azim Premji is often praised not just for building a strong business, but for how he led people. His leadership style was simple, disciplined, and filled with humility.

1. He Believed in Simplicity

Premji always kept things simple — from his lifestyle to his decisions. Even as a billionaire, he avoided luxury and focused on meaningful work.

2. He Focused on Quality

He made sure Wipro maintained high standards. This helped the company stand out globally.

3. He Thought Long Term

Premji never rushed into decisions. He believed the right path is more important than the fast path.

4. He Trusted His Teams

He invested heavily in training employees and growing leaders within the company.

5. He Stayed Ethical

Integrity mattered to him more than profits. He believed that success built on honesty lasts longer.

Challenges He Faced Along the Way

Premji’s journey was not always smooth. He had to deal with many challenges:

Moving From Oils to IT Was a Risk

Most people could not understand why he wanted to shift from consumer goods to technology. But he stood firm and made it work.

Competing Globally

In the 1990s and 2000s, competition in IT became tough. Many global giants were entering India. But Wipro’s strong discipline helped it stay ahead.

Convincing Investors

Some investors doubted Wipro’s technology focus. But Premji proved his vision right by delivering steady growth.

Managing a Growing Company

As Wipro expanded, managing thousands of employees across countries was challenging. Premji handled it by building strong systems.

Philanthropy: The Heart of Azim Premji’s Identity

Azim Premji is not just known for building Wipro. He is admired even more for giving away most of his wealth.

He started the Azim Premji Foundation in 2001 to improve education in India. Over time, it became one of the largest non-profit organizations in the country.

What His Foundation Does

Supports lakhs of teachers across India
Runs programs in more than a lakh schools
Operates Azim Premji University
Works on rural development and social change
Provides support during disasters and emergencies

He donated most of his personal wealth, including the majority of his Wipro shares. This makes him one of the world’s biggest philanthropists.

In 2013, he became the first Indian to sign The Giving Pledge, joining global leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in committing to donate most of his fortune.

Awards and Global Recognition

Azim Premji has been honored with many awards for his contribution to business and society. Some of his well-known recognitions include:

Padma Bhushan (2005)
Padma Vibhushan (2011)
Multiple honorary degrees
Featured in global lists of philanthropists and business leaders

But the greatest praise he receives is for his simplicity and desire to help others.

Why His Story Inspires Millions

Azim Premji’s story stands out because it is not just about money or growth. It is a story of:

Taking responsibility at a young age
Acting with honesty
Building a company carefully
Staying humble despite success
Giving away wealth for the greater good

He never tried to show off his success. Instead, he tried to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Important Lessons From His Journey

Here are some of the simplest but most powerful lessons from Azim Premji’s life:

1. Great things come from simple beginnings

Wipro was once a cooking-oil company. With the right vision, anything can transform.

2. Never stop learning

Premji continued learning throughout his life, even after becoming a billionaire.

3. Stick to your values

Honesty and ethics can take you very far.

4. Think long term

Shortcuts may look attractive, but long-term thinking builds lasting success.

5. Success means helping others

Premji’s true legacy is not his company — it is his generosity.

FAQ – (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who is Azim Premji?

He is the founder of modern-day Wipro and one of the world’s biggest philanthropists.

2. What made him successful?

His discipline, long-term thinking, and ability to adapt to the future helped him grow Wipro.

3. Why is he known for philanthropy?

He donated most of his wealth to education and social development in India.

4. Is he still involved with Wipro?

He stepped down as Chairman in 2019 but still guides the company in various ways.

5. What is the Azim Premji Foundation?

It is a non-profit organization focused mainly on improving education quality in India.

Conclusion:

Azim Premji’s success story is a powerful example of how a person can build a global company while staying humble, honest, and grounded. His life teaches us that real success is not about money or power — it’s about the impact we leave on the world.

His journey—from a young student suddenly taking charge of a small company to becoming one of the world’s most respected business leaders—is inspiring for anyone who dreams big but wants to stay true to their values.

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