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 his journey to the top. 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 own income to support Vembu as he built Zoho from the ground up, only to be told years later that she owns just 5% of the company.
The story begins in the early days of Zoho, when Vembu had just quit his job to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Srinivasan, who was working at the time, used her income to support the family, allowing Vembu to focus on building his company. “I was the primary breadwinner in those days,” Srinivasan said in a recent interview. “I used my income to support Sridhar as he worked on building Zoho. I believed in his vision and 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, was shocked to learn that she owns just 5% of the company. “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 contributions to the company would be valued so lowly.”
The revelation came as a shock to Srinivasan, who had always believed that she and Vembu were equal partners in both their marriage and their business. “I thought we were a team, working together to build something special,” she said. “But it seems that I was just a means to an end, a way for Sridhar to achieve his goals without having to worry about the financial burden.”
The news of Srinivasan’s claims has sent shockwaves through the business community, with many questioning the ethics of Vembu’s actions. How could a man who has built a business empire on the back of his wife’s support claim that she owns just 5% of the company? The answer, it seems, lies in the complex web of relationships and financial dealings that exist between Vembu, his sister, and his wife.
As the divorce proceedings continue, Srinivasan is fighting to prove that she is entitled to a larger share of the company. “I believe that my contributions to Zoho, both financial and emotional, are worth more than just 5%,” she said. “I hope that the court will recognize my role in building this company and grant me the fair share that I deserve.”
The case has also raised questions about the role of women in business, particularly in the tech industry. How often are women’s contributions to their partner’s businesses overlooked or undervalued? How often are they expected to play a supportive role without being given the recognition or compensation they deserve? Srinivasan’s story is a stark reminder of the challenges that women face in the business world, where their contributions are often taken for granted.
As the case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Srinivasan will not go down without a fight. She is determined to prove that her contributions to Zoho are worth more than just 5% and to secure the fair share that she deserves. Whether she will be successful remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: her story will serve as a warning to women everywhere to always protect their interests and to never underestimate the value of their contributions.
In a recent development, a US court has ordered Sridhar Vembu to post a $17 billion bond in the divorce case, a move that could have significant implications for the future of Zoho. As the case continues to make headlines, one thing is clear: the story of Sridhar Vembu and Pramila Srinivasan is one that will be watched closely by business leaders and women’s rights advocates around the world.
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