I used my income so he could focus on Zoho, now he says I own just 5% of it: Vembu’s wife
The story of Sridhar Vembu, the billionaire founder of Zoho, is one of rags-to-riches success. However, behind every successful man, there is often a supportive partner who plays a crucial role in their journey. For Vembu, that partner was his wife, Pramila Srinivasan. In a shocking turn of events, Srinivasan has come forward to reveal that she used her income to support Vembu’s entrepreneurial endeavors, only to be told that she owns a mere 5% of the company they built together.
The story begins in the early days of Zoho, when Vembu had just quit his job to pursue his passion for building a software company. It was a risky move, and one that required significant financial support. According to Srinivasan, she used her own income to help Vembu focus on building Zoho, sacrificing her own career ambitions in the process. “I was working at the time, and I used my income to support Sridhar so that he could focus on building Zoho,” she said. “I believed in his vision, and I was happy to support him in any way I could.”
As Zoho began to gain traction, Vembu’s sister, Radha, also became involved in the company. Today, Radha is the largest shareholder of Zoho, with a staggering 47.8% stake. Srinivasan, on the other hand, claims that she was told she owns just 5% of the company. The revelation came as a shock to her, particularly since she had been led to believe that she and Vembu were equal partners in the business.
“I felt shocked to learn only after he filed for divorce that he claimed to own just 5% of the company he’d spent our marriage building,” Srinivasan said. “I had no idea that my stake in the company was so small. I thought we were in this together, as equals.” The news has left Srinivasan feeling betrayed and confused, wondering why Vembu would wait until their divorce proceedings to reveal the true extent of her ownership.
The divorce case between Vembu and Srinivasan has been making headlines in recent weeks, with a US court ordering Vembu to post a $1.7 billion bond. The bond is intended to ensure that Vembu does not attempt to hide or transfer assets during the divorce proceedings. The case has raised questions about the ownership structure of Zoho, with many wondering how Vembu’s sister, Radha, came to own such a large stake in the company.
For Srinivasan, the experience has been a difficult one. She claims that she was not only a supportive partner but also an integral part of Vembu’s business journey. “I was not just a wife, I was a partner,” she said. “I helped Sridhar build Zoho from the ground up. I was there for every step of the way, and I thought we were in this together.” The revelation that she owns just 5% of the company has left her feeling undervalued and unappreciated.
The story of Srinivasan and Vembu serves as a reminder that the journey to success is often paved with sacrifices. While Vembu’s rags-to-riches story is an inspiring one, it is also a reminder that behind every successful entrepreneur, there is often a supportive partner who plays a crucial role in their journey. For Srinivasan, that journey has been one of sacrifice and dedication, only to be met with a shocking revelation that has left her feeling betrayed and confused.
As the divorce case between Vembu and Srinivasan continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the story of Zoho’s ownership structure is far more complex than initially meets the eye. With Radha owning a significant stake in the company, and Srinivasan claiming to have been told she owns just 5%, the case has raised more questions than answers. One thing is certain, however: the story of Srinivasan and Vembu serves as a reminder that the journey to success is often paved with sacrifices, and that the true cost of success is not always measured in dollars and cents.
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