You may have heard of the name Parle G Girl (Neeru Deshpande) as the little girl on the iconic Parle-G biscuit pack, but let’s set this mystery straight first: Neeru Deshpande is popularly (albeit falsely) regarded as the face on the Parle-G pack. But, this viral assertion does not have any conclusive evidence.
That being said, the name has also been linked to the remarkable personality of Sudha Murthy, a popular Indian author, philanthropist, social worker, and chairwoman of Infosys Foundation. She is a woman who shattered ceilings, penned stories that have impacted millions, and spent her life making the world a better place.
Biography of Parle G Girl (Sudha Murthy)
Parle-G Girl
Attribute
Details
Also Known As
Neeru Deshpande (in viral claims)
Full Name
Sudha Murthy
Date of Birth
19 August 1950
Age
75 years (as of 2025)
Birthplace
Shiggaon, Karnataka, India
Nationality
Indian
Profession
Author, Philanthropist, Chairperson – Infosys Foundation
Famous For
Books, Social Work, Infosys Foundation
Spouse
N.R. Narayana Murthy
Children
Rohan Murthy (Son), Akshata Murthy (Daughter)
Known Misbelief
Thought to be the Parle-G girl (debunked myth)
Awards
Padma Shri (2006), Padma Bhushan (2023)
Languages Known
English, Kannada
Sudha Murthy Physical Status
Attribute
Details
Height
5 feet 2 inches (approx.)
Weight
60 kg (approx.)
Hair Color
Grey
Eye Color
Black
Skin Tone
Wheatish
Build
Slim
Other Traits
Wears traditional Indian attire; simple and elegant personality
Parle G Girl Early Life and Education
Category
Details
Birthplace
Shiggaon, Karnataka, India
Parents
Dr. R.H. Kulkarni (Father), Vimala Kulkarni (Mother)
Undergraduate
B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli
Notable Achievement
First female engineering student at BVB College
Postgraduate
Master’s in Computer Science from IISc Bangalore
Parle G Girl (Sudha Murthy) Career Highlights
Phase
Milestone
Early Career
First female engineer hired by TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company)
Infosys
Invested ₹10,000 to help launch Infosys
Chairperson
Heads Infosys Foundation, involved in rural development, education, hygiene, and healthcare
Author
Written 30+ books in English & Kannada
Popular Works
Wise and Otherwise, Three Thousand Stitches, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
Sudha Murthy Awards and Achievements
Year
Award
Contribution
2004
Raja-Lakshmi Award
For exemplary social work
2006
Padma Shri
For social work and contribution to literature
2011
NDTV Indian of the Year
For philanthropy and education
2013
Basava Shree Award
By the Basava Seva Trust
2020
Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award
For her work as an author
2023
Padma Bhushan
Third-highest civilian award in India
Controversy: Parle-G Girl Rumor
Topic
Clarification
Viral Rumor
Claimed Neeru Deshpande from Nagpur was the Parle-G girl
Link to Sudha Murthy
Rumor falsely connected her due to her simplicity and fame
Official Statement
Parle clarified the wrapper image is a hand-drawn illustration by Everest Creative, not based on any real person
Parle G Girl (Sudha Murthy) Net Worth
Category
Details
Personal Net Worth
Approx. ₹2700 Crore INR (as of 2024)
Family Net Worth
Over ₹7,000 Crore INR including Infosys stake
Income Source
Book royalties, Infosys Foundation, investments
Philanthropy
Majority of her income goes to social causes and education
Social Media Presence
Platform
Details
Personal Accounts
Not active personally on social media
Infosys Foundation
Regularly shares her work and initiatives
Goodreads
Author profile with list of her published books
YouTube
Multiple interviews and talks available
Interesting Facts About Sudha Murthy
Fact
Detail
1
Wrote to J.R.D. Tata questioning gender bias; led to her hiring at TELCO
2
Donates all book royalties to charity
3
Her books are included in school curricula
4
Travels in economy class despite vast wealth
5
Advocates Indian handlooms and crafts
6
Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee
7
Her daughter is married to UK PM Rishi Sunak
FAQ’s
Is Sudha Murthy the Parle-G girl?
No. Parle has officially stated the image is a hand-drawn illustration, not based on any person.
What is Sudha Murthy’s age?
She is 75 years old as of 2025 (born 19 August 1950).
What are Sudha Murthy’s most popular books?
Wise and Otherwise, Three Thousand Stitches, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read.
What is Sudha Murthy’s net worth?
Approx. ₹270 Crore INR personally, with family wealth over ₹7,000 Crore INR.
