Tata Matriarch Simone Tata Passes Away at 95, Leaves Behind a Lasting Legacy in Indian Cosmetics
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Simone Tata, the devoted mother of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and the stepmother of the late Ratan Tata, passed away on Friday morning in Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital after a brief illness. She was 95 years old. The Tata Group has announced that the last respects for the founder of Lakmé, a pioneering Indian cosmetics brand, will be held on Saturday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Name Church in Colaba. Simone Tata will be remembered for her remarkable contributions to the growth of Lakmé into India's leading cosmetics brand and for laying the foundation for fashion retail through the Westside chain. Her philanthropic efforts also had a significant impact, as she guided several organisations, including the Sir Ratan Tata Institute. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Simone Tata remained an inspiration to many with her unwavering positivity and resilience. The Tata Group has expressed its condolences, saying, 'With her positivity and deep resolve, she touched many of us deeply. May her soul rest in peace, and God give us the strength to overcome this loss.' Simone Tata is survived by her son Noel Tata, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya, and Leah. Born Simone Naval Dunoyer in Geneva, Switzerland, Simone first came to India in 1953 as a tourist. She married Naval H. Tata two years later and began her professional association with the Tata Group in the early 1960s. She joined the board of Lakmé in 1961 and played a pivotal role in shaping the brand into a household name. Simone Tata's appointment as Lakmé chairperson in 1982 cemented her status as the 'Cosmetic Czarina of India' for popularising beauty products among Indian women and creating one of the country's first modern consumer brands.
