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Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024 and as Leader of the Conservative Party.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024 and as Leader of the Conservative Party. Before becoming prime minister, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. He was born in Southampton, England, in 1980.

Early life and education

Sunak was born in Southampton in 1980 and studied at Winchester College, Oxford University, and Stanford University. Before entering politics, he worked in finance.

Political career

He entered government in 2018, became chief secretary to the Treasury in 2019, and was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2020. He later became Conservative Party leader and prime minister in October 2022.

Prime ministership

Sunak served as prime minister from October 2022 until July 2024. His premiership ended after the Conservative Party lost the 2024 general election.

Personal life

Sunak is married to Akshata Murty and has two children. He has been widely noted as the first British-Indian and first Hindu prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Key facts

  • Sunak became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 25 October 2022.
  • He resigned as prime minister in July 2024 after the Conservative Party lost the general election.
  • He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson.
  • He has been a Member of Parliament since 2015, representing constituencies in Yorkshire.
  • He is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian businessman Narayana Murthy.
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Canadian context

Rishi Sunak is relevant to Canadian readers as a major recent leader of the United Kingdom, one of Canada's closest historical and political partners within the Commonwealth.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rishi Sunak?
Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024 and led the Conservative Party.
How old is Rishi Sunak?
He was born on 12 May 1980, which makes him 46 years old as of 23 July 2026.
What is Rishi Sunak's net worth?
Public estimates have varied widely; one 2022 report put the combined wealth of Sunak and his wife at about £730 million, but no single official net worth figure is publicly verified.
Who is Rishi Sunak's wife?
His wife is Akshata Murty, an Indian businesswoman and the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.
What party is Rishi Sunak from?
He is a member of the Conservative Party.
When did Rishi Sunak become prime minister?
He became prime minister on 25 October 2022.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rishi-Sunak
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, political career, and prime ministership
  2. UK Government — https://www.gov.uk/government/people/rishi-sunak
    Supports: Official record of his term as prime minister and dates in office
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c100mep38g4o
    Supports: Age, spouse, background, and education
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51490893
    Supports: Family details and reported combined wealth estimate
  5. Rishi Sunak official website — https://www.rishisunak.com/about-me
    Supports: Career chronology including appointment as prime minister