Sundar Pichai Then and Now

Sundar Pichai Then

Sundar Pichai, born on June 10, 1972, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, was raised in a modest family by his mother Lakshmi, a stenographer, and his father Regunatha, an electrical engineer at GEC. 

Pichai demonstrated academic excellence from a young age, attending Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School before pursuing higher education at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and later IIT Kharagpur. 

He earned a degree in metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur, after which he emigrated to the United States for advanced studies. 

At Stanford University, he received a Master’s in materials science and engineering, followed by an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

This robust educational foundation played a key role in Pichai’s rise to global prominence, eventually leading him to become the CEO of Google and Alphabet.

Sundar Pichai Business Career

Sundar Pichai began his career as a materials engineer at Applied Materials, where he gained valuable experience in engineering and product management. 

He later transitioned to management consulting at McKinsey & Company, leveraging his technical expertise to provide strategic business insights before moving on to his influential role at Google.

Related Article: Tim Cook Then and Now

Google CEO

Sundar Pichai joined Google in 2004, where he quickly rose through the ranks by leading product management and innovation for several key Google software products, including Google Chrome, ChromeOS, and Google Drive. 

His role in overseeing the development of flagship applications like Gmail and Google Maps further solidified his reputation as a visionary product leader. 

In 2009, he unveiled ChromeOS, followed by the public release of Chromebooks in 2012. 

Pichai was also instrumental in the open-sourcing of Google’s video codec VP8 in 2010, introducing the WebM video format to the public.

In 2013, Pichai added Android to his list of responsibilities, taking over from Andy Rubin, as the mobile platform grew into one of the most significant components of Google’s business. 

His ability to manage a broad portfolio of products earned him the role of Product Chief at Google under CEO Larry Page. 

On August 10, 2015, Pichai was announced as the new CEO of Google, assuming the role in October 2015 after the formation of Alphabet Inc., the new parent company overseeing Google’s diverse operations.

Pichai’s leadership style garnered attention, with some even considering him a top contender for Microsoft’s CEO role in 2014, though that position ultimately went to Satya Nadella. 

Pichai also made headlines in 2017 when he fired a Google employee who wrote a manifesto critical of the company’s diversity policies, which sparked a public debate.

Internationally, Pichai was a speaker at the World Internet Conference in China in 2017, where he highlighted Google’s support for Chinese businesses, despite the company’s strained relationship with the Chinese government. In 2018, he faced tough questioning from the U.S. 

House Judiciary Committee regarding political bias on Google’s platforms, privacy concerns, and rumors of a censored search engine for China. 

Pichai denied any plans for such a product and reassured lawmakers about Google’s commitment to user privacy.

In December 2019, Pichai was appointed CEO of Alphabet Inc., a role that expanded his leadership beyond Google. 

By 2022, his compensation exceeded $200 million, which drew criticism during the company’s layoffs in 2023, highlighting the tension between executive pay and employee welfare. 

Despite these challenges, Pichai remains a central figure in navigating Google and Alphabet through an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Related Article: Mark Zuckerberg Then and Now

Sundar Pichai’s Wife and Children

Sundar Pichai is married to Anjali Pichai, whom he met while they were both studying at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. 

Anjali hails from Kota, India, and the couple formed a close bond during their time as students. 

They have two children together and currently reside in Los Altos Hills, California. 

Outside of his demanding career in tech, Pichai enjoys spending time engaging in his favorite recreational activities, which include cricket and football, reflecting his enduring connection to his Indian roots and passion for sports.

Related Article: Jeff Bezos Then and Now

Sundar Pichai Now

Sundar Pichai, currently 52 years old, is an Indian-born American business executive who serves as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. 

Pichai’s journey from his humble beginnings in Madurai, India, to becoming one of the most influential leaders in the global tech industry is a testament to his visionary leadership and technical expertise. 

After joining Google in 2004, he played a pivotal role in shaping key products like Google Chrome, ChromeOS, and Android, which have become essential components of the digital world.

In 2019, Pichai took on the additional responsibility of leading Alphabet Inc., overseeing a vast range of businesses and initiatives, from search and advertising to cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. 

Under his leadership, both Google and Alphabet continue to push boundaries in innovation, with Pichai at the forefront of navigating the company through challenges like data privacy, regulatory scrutiny, and global market competition.

Related Article: Elon Musk Then and Now

Despite his corporate responsibilities, Pichai remains grounded, balancing his professional life with his personal interests, which include sports like cricket and football. 

He is also known for his calm demeanor and inclusive leadership style, which have earned him respect both within the company and across the broader tech industry. 

Pichai’s rise to the top highlights his ability to drive technological advancement while adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the digital economy.

Sundar Pichai’s Net Worth

Sundar Pichai’s net worth reflects his success as a tech industry leader, with $424 million in current share holdings and approximately $600 million from share sales since becoming CEO of Alphabet, making him one of the wealthiest executives in the world.

Related Article: Bo Dallas Then and Now

FAQs