Ratan Tata is one of the most respected billionaire businessmen in the country, who Tata Group 33 lakh crore empire. Ratan Tata serves as the honorary chairman of the Tata Group, while his half-brother Noel Tata heads the group's retail subsidiary Trent. It is worth mentioning that Trent was created thanks to Noel Tata's mother Simone Tata, who is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist. Here's everything you need to know about her.
This successful entrepreneur associated with Ratan Tata came to India as a tourist and established a business empire worth Rs 1 lakh crore which is growing rapidly. Know who she is
Simone Tata was born in 1930. GenevaSwitzerland and completed her graduation from the University of Geneva. In 1953, the matriarch of the Tata family visited India as a tourist where she met the late Naval H Tata, father of Ratan Tata and an alumnus of the Tata Group. They fell in love with each other and got married in 1955, with Simone Tata making India her permanent residence. While Simone Tata became Ratan Tata's stepmother, she and Naval H Tata welcomed their son, Noel Tata, in 1957.
Simone Tata's entrepreneurial journey with the Tata Group
Simone TataHer professional journey with the Tata Group began in 1962, when she joined the group's subsidiary Lakme as managing director. Although she had no prior business experience, her extensive knowledge of cosmetics enabled her to formulate Lakme's products and propel her company as a global cosmetic brand. She eventually became the chairperson of Lakme in 1982, while in 1987 she was appointed to the board of Tata Industries.
In 1996, Simon Tata devised a strategy to enter the apparel retail business and planned to sell Lakme to Hindustan Unilever. The money received from the sale was used for manufacturing TrentA retail company. Trent includes locally renowned brands such as Westside, Judio, Utsa and Star Bazaar. The market capitalization of the retail firm reached Rs 1 lakh crore in December 2023, according to Economic TimesSimone Tata served as the non-executive chairperson of Trent until 30 October 2006. Talking about her entrepreneurial endeavors, she once told in an interview, “I never intended to lead a professional life, but it turned out to be a very happy evolution. I started at the top in an industry that did not exist. I had the privilege of building the organisation the way I wanted it to be. The important thing is to have a vision, clarity and the ability to mould people,” according to Global Indian,
As a PhilanthropistSimone Tata was also the chairperson of the Sir Ratan Tata Institute, a non-profit organization established in April 1928 for the needy. She also serves as a trustee of the Children of the World (India) Trust and the India Foundation for the Arts.
Family Life of Simone Tata
son of Simon Tata Noel Tata Noel Tata serves as chairman at Trent, while Simon Tata's grandchildren and Tata Group scions Leah Tata, Maya Tata and Neville Tata are currently grooming the leadership of their uncle Ratan Tata. Noel Tata's wife and Simon Tata's daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry is the daughter of the late billionaire businessman Pallonji Mistry, who was a major shareholder in the Tata Group.
