Navajbai Sett: How Ratan Tata's Wife Became Tata Sons' First Female Director
The Tata Group, founded by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1868, has become a symbol of business excellence, innovation, and philanthropy. While the conglomerate’s history is often associated with its male leaders, one of its earliest and most remarkable contributors was a woman: Navajbai Sett, the first female director of Tata Sons. Her journey is a tale of resilience, vision, and pioneering spirit, blending personal tragedy with groundbreaking achievements in business and philanthropy.
Early Life and Marriage to Ratanji Tata
Navajbai Sett was born into a prominent Parsi family, the daughter of Ardeshir Merwanji Sett, a well-known figure in society. In 1892, she married Ratanji Tata, the younger brother of Dorabji Tata and son of the Tata Group’s founder, Jamsetji Tata. This marriage brought her into the heart of India’s most influential business family. She quickly became a respected figure in the family’s social and business circles.
In 1915, Navajbai and Ratanji moved to England, acquiring York House in Twickenham, a property formerly owned by the Duke of Orleans. During their time in England, they mingled with the elite, including British aristocracy and royalty, forming friendships with King George V and Queen Mary. Despite the glamour and privilege, life took a tragic turn when Ratanji Tata passed away unexpectedly in 1918 at the age of 41. Navajbai was left a widow at a young age, yet she chose not to retreat into grief but to step into leadership.
Leadership at Tata Sons
In 1925, Navajbai Sett became the first female director of Tata Sons, stepping into a role dominated entirely by men. Despite having no formal business management training, she demonstrated exceptional acumen, overseeing the company’s affairs with foresight and diligence.
Her tenure focused on stabilizing the Tata family’s business interests and preserving Ratanji Tata’s legacy. She guided strategic decisions, managed investments, and supervised expansions across Tata companies. One of her major achievements was the completion of Tata House in Bombay, a grand residence envisioned by her late husband, symbolizing both the family’s stature and their enduring legacy.
Under her guidance, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, founded in 1919, grew in influence and scale. By 1932, Navajbai was appointed its chair, reinforcing her role as a leading philanthropist committed to education, healthcare, and social upliftment.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
She also made significant charitable contributions of assets and properties inherited from her husband. Among the most notable was the donation of Ratanji Tata’s art collection to the Prince of Wales Museum in Bombay, ensuring public access to cultural treasures and preserving India’s artistic heritage.
Legacy and Final Years After the death of Ratanji Tata, Navajbai dedicated herself to completing Tata House, a testament to the grandeur and vision of the Tata family. She continued to serve as a guiding figure in the Tata Group, balancing corporate responsibilities with philanthropic initiatives.
Navajbai passed away in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, leadership, and compassion. Her contributions laid the foundation for the Tata Group’s continued success and helped shape the values of philanthropy, vision, and social responsibility that define the conglomerate to this day. Her grandson, Ratan Tata, later carried forward this legacy, expanding the company to global prominence.
A Woman Ahead of Her Time Navajbai Sett’s story is a testament to strength, foresight, and pioneering spirit. She broke through gender barriers, managed a vast business empire, and committed herself to social causes long before women in India held prominent corporate positions. Her life reminds us that leadership is not only about authority but about vision, empathy, and the courage to act in times of uncertainty.
Today, the Tata Group stands as a global business powerhouse, valued at over $24 trillion. Behind this enduring legacy lies the quiet but powerful influence of Navajbai Sett — a woman who transformed personal loss into a historic journey of leadership and societal impact.
Her story continues to inspire women in leadership roles and serves as a reminder that resilience, intelligence, and compassion can leave a mark on both business and society for generations to come.
Early Life and Marriage to Ratanji Tata
Navajbai Sett was born into a prominent Parsi family, the daughter of Ardeshir Merwanji Sett, a well-known figure in society. In 1892, she married Ratanji Tata, the younger brother of Dorabji Tata and son of the Tata Group’s founder, Jamsetji Tata. This marriage brought her into the heart of India’s most influential business family. She quickly became a respected figure in the family’s social and business circles.
In 1915, Navajbai and Ratanji moved to England, acquiring York House in Twickenham, a property formerly owned by the Duke of Orleans. During their time in England, they mingled with the elite, including British aristocracy and royalty, forming friendships with King George V and Queen Mary. Despite the glamour and privilege, life took a tragic turn when Ratanji Tata passed away unexpectedly in 1918 at the age of 41. Navajbai was left a widow at a young age, yet she chose not to retreat into grief but to step into leadership.
Leadership at Tata Sons
In 1925, Navajbai Sett became the first female director of Tata Sons, stepping into a role dominated entirely by men. Despite having no formal business management training, she demonstrated exceptional acumen, overseeing the company’s affairs with foresight and diligence.
Her tenure focused on stabilizing the Tata family’s business interests and preserving Ratanji Tata’s legacy. She guided strategic decisions, managed investments, and supervised expansions across Tata companies. One of her major achievements was the completion of Tata House in Bombay, a grand residence envisioned by her late husband, symbolizing both the family’s stature and their enduring legacy.
Under her guidance, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, founded in 1919, grew in influence and scale. By 1932, Navajbai was appointed its chair, reinforcing her role as a leading philanthropist committed to education, healthcare, and social upliftment.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
The/Nudge Institute, Manipal TATA Medical College (MTMC), and Manipal Foundation co-host Jharkhand Charcha 2025
Navajbai Sett’s influence extended far beyond business. She was particularly concerned with women’s welfare, focusing on underprivileged and elderly Parsi women. In 1926, she founded an institute in memory of Ratanji Tata, designed to provide meaningful employment and support for women in need. This initiative eventually evolved into the Ratan Tata Institute (RTI), recognized for its lasting impact on the community.She also made significant charitable contributions of assets and properties inherited from her husband. Among the most notable was the donation of Ratanji Tata’s art collection to the Prince of Wales Museum in Bombay, ensuring public access to cultural treasures and preserving India’s artistic heritage.
Legacy and Final Years After the death of Ratanji Tata, Navajbai dedicated herself to completing Tata House, a testament to the grandeur and vision of the Tata family. She continued to serve as a guiding figure in the Tata Group, balancing corporate responsibilities with philanthropic initiatives.
Navajbai passed away in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, leadership, and compassion. Her contributions laid the foundation for the Tata Group’s continued success and helped shape the values of philanthropy, vision, and social responsibility that define the conglomerate to this day. Her grandson, Ratan Tata, later carried forward this legacy, expanding the company to global prominence.
A Woman Ahead of Her Time Navajbai Sett’s story is a testament to strength, foresight, and pioneering spirit. She broke through gender barriers, managed a vast business empire, and committed herself to social causes long before women in India held prominent corporate positions. Her life reminds us that leadership is not only about authority but about vision, empathy, and the courage to act in times of uncertainty.
Today, the Tata Group stands as a global business powerhouse, valued at over $24 trillion. Behind this enduring legacy lies the quiet but powerful influence of Navajbai Sett — a woman who transformed personal loss into a historic journey of leadership and societal impact.
Her story continues to inspire women in leadership roles and serves as a reminder that resilience, intelligence, and compassion can leave a mark on both business and society for generations to come.
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