Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath on parenthood: 'Don't want to ruin 20 years of my life babysitting'

In a recent episode of his podcast, WTF, Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, expressed his unconventional perspective on parenthood and legacy. Kamath, known for his entrepreneurial endeavors, shared insights into his personal life, shedding light on why he doesn't adhere to traditional norms surrounding these topics.

"I don't have kids," Kamath stated plainly, challenging the conventional notion of raising children to carry on a legacy. "I'm going to ruin 18-20 years of my life babysitting this child and then if luck serves me right, the reverse will happen at some point What if he says 'scr** you' at 18 and leave anyway," Kamath remarked, highlighting the unpredictability of parenthood.

The 37-year-old entrepreneur delved deeper into his beliefs, questioning the significance of leaving behind a legacy. "I think we all feel that we are more important than we are... you are born and you die like every other animal on the planet and then you are gone and nobody remembers anybody," Kamath stated matter-of-factly, reflecting on the transient nature of human existence.


For Kamath, the traditional pursuit of leaving a legacy through progeny doesn't resonate. He emphasized the importance of living well and being kind to others during one's lifetime over seeking posthumous recognition. "What's the point in being remembered (after death)? I feel like you should come, you should live well, you should be nice to the people you meet in your life," Kamath asserted.

Despite his reservations about traditional notions of legacy, Kamath has demonstrated a commitment to social good. Last year, he became the youngest Indian signatory to The Giving Pledge, a prestigious initiative where philanthropists pledge a majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Kamath acknowledged the influence of fellow Bengaluru entrepreneurs and philanthropists, including Nandan Nilekani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Azim Premji, in inspiring his philanthropic journey.

Reflecting on his decision to join The Giving Pledge, Kamath credited his peers for motivating him to maximize the positive impact of his wealth. He expressed a preference for directing his resources towards causes he values, aligning with his belief in the importance of social responsibility.

Kamath's views on parenthood and legacy offer a thought-provoking perspective on traditional societal norms, encouraging individuals to reevaluate their own values and priorities in life.