India mourns the passing of Simone Tata, the pioneering businesswoman who transformed the country’s consumer landscape, at the age of 95 after a brief illness. As Ratan Tata’s stepmother and the force behind two of India’s most iconic homegrown brands, her death marks the end of a remarkable era in Indian business.
Born in Switzerland, Simone Tata made India her permanent home after marrying Naval Tata in 1955. She played a pivotal role in elevating Lakmé from a small subsidiary into the nation’s leading cosmetics brand, earning her the title of ‘Czarina of Lakmé.’ After Lakmé, she established Trent Ltd., launching the hugely successful Westside retail chain and laying the foundation for modern Indian fashion retail.
A true business trailblazer, Simone Tata’s vision, leadership, and innovation have left an enduring legacy, inspiring generations of entrepreneurs and shaping India’s beauty and retail industries. Her contributions continue to resonate across the country’s corporate and consumer sectors.