Meet Swiss woman who married an Indian, built Rs 1 lakh crore business empire; she is related to Ratan Tata, she is…..

Simone Tata, the stepmother of Ratan Tata, was born in 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland and graduated from the prestigious Geneva University. After her marriage to Naval H Tata, Simone, entered the business arena as a novice when she joined Lakme– Tata Group’s beauty brand, as a managing director, in 1962.

When Simone Tata visited India as a tourist in the early 1950s little did she realize that she would fall in love, get married to an Indian man, and end up making the country her permanent home, and of course, build a business empire currently valued at Rs 1 lakh crore. Simone travelled to India in 1953 and met Naval H Tata, the father of Ratan Tata, and a leading name in the Tata Group. Simone and Naval fell in love and got married in 1955 after which she settled permanently in Mumbai.

Simone Tata early life, career

Simone Tata was born in 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland and graduated from the prestigious Geneva University. After her marriage to Naval Tata, Simone, entered the business arena as a novice when she joined Lakme– Tata Group’s beauty brand, as a managing director, in 1962.

While Simone lacked experience, she more than made up for that with her keen know-how and expertise in beauty products, which became a crucial factor in making Lakme into a global brand. Simone Tata became the chairperson of Lakme in 1982, and 5 years later, became a member of the board of Tata Industries in 1987.

It’s widely believed that Simone Tata was the strategic mind behind the sale of Lakme to Hindustan Unilever and Tata Group’s foray into apparel retailing. The funds acquired from selling Lakme were used to establish the retail giant Trent, which has a market capitalisation Rs 1 lakh crore, as of December 2023.

Trent, which retails famous brands such as Zudio, Westside, Utsa, and Star Bazaar, is reportedly the brainchild of Simone Tata, experts believe.

Simone Tata family

Simone Tata is the stepmother of Ratan Tata, the duo are believed to have a cordial relationship. Her son, Noel Tata, is the current Chairman of Trent, while Simone’s grandkids, Leah Tata, Maya Tata, and Neville Tata, and on their way to carry forward the Tata family tradition under the tutelage of their uncle (step-uncle) Ratan Tata.

Notably, Noel Tata’s wife, Aloo Mistry, also comes from a prominent business family; her father, late Pallonji Mistry, was a major shareholder in Tata Group.

Simone Tata’s son, Noel Tata, currently serves as the Chairman of Trent, carrying forward her entrepreneurial legacy. Her grandchildren, Leah Tata, Maya Tata, and Neville Tata, are poised to continue the Tata family tradition under the guidance of their uncle, Ratan Tata. Noel Tata’s wife, Aloo Mistry, comes from a notable business lineage, the daughter of the late Pallonji Mistry, a significant shareholder in Tata Group.

Simone Tata philanthropy

Apart for her remarkable contributions in the business arena, Simone Tata is also renowned for her philanthropic ventures. She is the Chairperson of  the Sir Ratan Tata Institute and also a trustee of various trusts like Children of the World (India) Trust and India Foundation for the Arts, championing the causes of children, the downtrodden and the needy.