Simone Tata Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Son, Family

 

On December 5, 2025, news came about Simone Tata. She passed away in Geneva, Switzerland. She was 95 years old. [7] This strong woman left a big mark on India's business world. People remember her for her smart choices. She helped build big names like Lakme and Trent. 

Early Life And Background 

Simone Tata was born in 1930. She grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. Life there was calm and green. Her full name was Simone Naval Tata, nee Dunoyer. She went to Geneva University. She finished her studies there. Education made her ready for big things. As a young woman, she loved to travel. In 1953, she came to India as a tourist. India caught her heart. The colors, people, and energy pulled her in. She did not know this trip would change her life forever. 

Simone met Naval H. Tata in 1953. He was from the famous Tata family. They liked each other fast. In 1955, they got married. Simone left Switzerland for good. She made Mumbai her home. Naval had kids from before. Ratan Tata was his son from first marriage. Simone became Ratan's stepmother. She treated him like her own. Noel Tata was born to Simone and Naval. Family life was full of love and duty. Simone learned Indian ways quick. She spoke the language of business soon. Her Swiss smarts mixed with Indian grit. This mix made her special.

Simone Tata Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Son, Family 

Category	Details
Full Name	Simone Naval Tata (née Dunoyer) [2]
Birth	March 1930, Geneva, Switzerland [2][1]
Death	December 5, 2025, Geneva, Switzerland, aged 95 [2][4]
Education	Geneva University graduate [2][1]
Arrival in India	1953, as a tourist [2][1]
Marriage	1955 to Naval H. Tata; settled in Mumbai [2][1]
Children	Son: Noel Tata (born to her and Naval); Stepmother to Ratan Tata [2][1][4]
Early Career	Joined Lakmé board in 1962 (subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills) [2][1]
Lakmé Role	Managing Director from 1961; Chairperson from 1982; grew it to India's top cosmetics brand [2][1][4]
Key Achievement: Lakmé	Tested products herself; brought international formulas; made it a household name [1]
Business Shift	1996: Sold Lakmé to Hindustan Lever; used funds to create Trent Ltd. [2][1]
Trent & Westside	Founded Trent in 1996; launched Westside stores in 1998; over 200 stores today; Non-executive Chairman until 2006 [2][1][4]
Other Roles	Director, Tata Industries from 1989; guided 91 units [2]
Philanthropy	Chairman, Sir Ratan Tata Institute; Trustee, Children of the World India (helps kids and women); Trustee, India Foundation for the Arts [1]
Family Business Ties	Supported Tata Group; close bond with stepson Ratan Tata, who called her "mom" [1][4]
Son's Roles	Noel Tata: Vice Chairman Trent, Chairman Tata Investment Corporation [1]
Legacy	Pioneer in Indian cosmetics and retail; overcame challenges as a woman leader; inspired future generations [4][1]

Career 

In 1961, Simone joined Lakme. It was a small part of Tata Oil Mills. Lakme made beauty products. Simone knew beauty from Europe. She became Managing Director in 1964. She worked hard for 18 years in that job. Then, in 1982, she became Chairperson. Lakme grew fast under her. She made new creams and lipsticks. Women in India loved them. Shops sold out quick. [1][3][5] Simone tested products herself. She brought ideas from abroad. Indian women wanted safe, pretty makeup. She gave them that. Lakme became number one in India. No other brand came close.

Simone's days were long. She met workers and sellers. She fixed problems one by one. Competitors tried to copy her. But she stayed ahead. She cared for quality. Lakme stood for trust. By 1990s, it was a house name. Every girl dreamed of Lakme kajal. Simone smiled at that. Her hard work paid off big. She turned a small shop into a giant. 

Building Trent 

Big change came in 1996. Simone sold Lakme to Hindustan Lever. Many wondered why. She had a new plan. She used the money to start Trent. Trent was for shops and clothes. In 1998, it bought Westside. Westside opened first store small. Now, it has over 200 stores. From Mumbai to Delhi, people shop there. Westside sells 22 own brands. Shirts, jeans, bags all shine bright. Simone picked spots for stores smart. She knew what Indians like. Middle-class families flocked in. Prices were fair. Quality was top.

Trent grew step by step. Simone was Director there long. She quit as Chairman in 2006. But her mark stays. Today, Noel Tata runs it well. He learned from mom. Westside changed shopping in India. No more old markets only. Clean stores with AC. Simone dreamed it real. She saw retail boom coming. Others followed her path late. 

Family Ties 

Simone was stepmom to Ratan Tata. Ratan led Tata Group for years. He called her mom always. Their bond was deep. Ratan praised her brains open. Noel Tata is her real son. He heads Trent now. Simone taught both sons business tricks. Family stayed close always. Even in tough times. She lived simple life. No show off. Geneva home was cozy. Mumbai visits kept her linked.

Simone helped Tata Industries too. In 1987, she joined as Director. It had 91 units. Steel to software. She gave ideas there. Her touch made it stronger. Women in business looked up to her. Few ladies led then. Simone broke walls. She showed girls can rule boardrooms. Awards came her way. But she stayed humble. 

Influence 

Simone turned 95 in 2025. She spent time in Geneva. Peaceful days with books. India pulled her back often. Trent meetings kept her busy. On December 5, 2025, she left world. Geneva hospital was last stop. Family mourned deep. Noel and Ratan shared old photos. Tributes poured in. Business leaders bowed head. [7] Her story lives in every Westside bag. Every Lakme shade.

Simone changed India’s look. Makeup and malls came alive. She mixed West smarts with East heart. Beginners like her show dreams work. Hard work beats all. Today, girls in boardrooms say her name. Legacy shines bright. Noel carries torch high. Tata family stands tall. Simone Tata: from tourist to queen. What a journey!