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 woman who has played a crucial role in his journey. For Vembu, that woman is his wife, Pramila Srinivasan. In a shocking turn of events, Srinivasan has come forward to reveal that she used her income to support Vembu while he built Zoho from scratch, only to be told years later that she owns just 5% of the company.
The story begins in the early 1990s when Vembu quit his job to pursue his dream of building a software company. At the time, Srinivasan was the primary breadwinner, working hard to support the family while Vembu focused on building his business. “I remember the early days when Sridhar would spend hours in our small apartment, working on his computer, trying to build a product that would change the world,” Srinivasan recalled in an interview. “I was working full-time, and my income was the only thing that kept our family afloat. I was happy to support him, as I believed in his vision and his abilities.”
As the years went by, Vembu’s hard work began to pay off. Zoho started to gain traction, and the company began to grow. Srinivasan continued to work, supporting the family and allowing Vembu to focus on his business. “I never thought twice about using my income to support Sridhar’s dreams,” she said. “I thought we were in this together, as a team. I thought we were building a life and a business together.”
However, things took a dramatic turn when Vembu filed for divorce. It was then that Srinivasan discovered that she owned just 5% of Zoho, the company that she had supported for so many years. “I felt shocked and betrayed,” she said. “I had given my all to support Sridhar and Zoho, and this is how I was repaid? It was like a punch to the gut.”
To make matters worse, Srinivasan discovered that Vembu’s sister, Radha, was the largest shareholder of Zoho, with a staggering 47.8% stake in the company. “I couldn’t believe it,” Srinivasan said. “Radha was not even involved in the company in the early days. I was the one who supported Sridhar, who sacrificed my own career and my own ambitions to help him build Zoho. And now, I was being told that I owned just 5% of the company?”
The news has sent shockwaves through the business community, with many questioning the ethics of Vembu’s actions. “This is a classic case of a man taking advantage of his wife’s sacrifices and hard work,” said a business analyst. “It’s unacceptable that Vembu would claim that his wife owns just 5% of the company after she has supported him for so many years.”
The case has also raised questions about the role of women in entrepreneurship and the sacrifices they make to support their husbands and partners. “This is a wake-up call for all women who are supporting their husbands and partners in business,” said a women’s rights activist. “We need to make sure that our contributions are recognized and valued. We need to make sure that we are not taken for granted.”
In a recent development, a US court has ordered Vembu to post a $1.7 billion bond in the divorce case. The move is seen as a significant victory for Srinivasan, who is fighting for her rightful share of the company. “I am glad that the court has recognized the importance of this case,” Srinivasan said. “I am confident that justice will be served, and I will get what is rightfully mine.”
As the case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the story of Sridhar Vembu and Pramila Srinivasan is a cautionary tale about the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all parties involved in a business. It’s a reminder that behind every successful man, there is often a woman who has made significant sacrifices to support him. And it’s a call to action for all women to stand up for their rights and demand the recognition they deserve.
News Source: https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/exclusive-us-court-orders-sridhar-vembu-to-post-17-billion-bond-in-divorce-case
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