Simone Tata, the mother of Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and the former powerhouse behind the iconic Lakme and Westside brands, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 95 in Mumbai after a brief illness. Her death marks the end of an era for the Indian beauty and retail industries, which she fundamentally helped shape over four decades.
A Swiss-born Indian businesswoman, Simone Tata (nee Dunoyer) arrived in India as a tourist in 1953 and married Naval H. Tata two years later, permanently settling in Mumbai. She was also the stepmother of the late Ratan Tata, former Chairman of the Tata Group.
The Cosmetic Czarina of India
Simone Tata is most widely celebrated for her pioneering role in the beauty sector. She joined the board of Lakmé, then a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills, in 1962. Rising through the ranks, she was appointed the company's chairperson in 1982.
Under her visionary leadership, Lakme transformed from a minor venture—initially set up at the request of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to prevent foreign exchange drain from cosmetic imports—into India's leading and most popular cosmetics brand. Her efforts earned her the moniker, the 'Cosmetic Czarina of India.'
Founding Westside and Trent
In a strategic move in 1996, the Tata Group sold Lakmé to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Simone Tata leveraged the proceeds from this sale to establish Trent Limited, Tata Group’s retail arm, and launched the hugely successful department store chain, Westside.
She guided Trent until 2006, ensuring that Westside became one of India’s most recognizable and popular fashion retail chains, effectively laying the foundation for modern retail in the country. She also served on the board of Tata Industries.
In a statement, the Tata Group paid tribute to her lasting legacy, saying, "She will always be remembered for her contribution to the growth of Lakmé as India's leading cosmetic brand and for laying the foundation for fashion retail with the Westside chain." She is survived by her son, Noel Tata, and grandchildren.
