Marta Ortega Pérez, the youngest daughter of Zara’s billionaire founder Amancio Ortega, has taken over as chairwoman of Inditex, the world’s largest fashion retailer and parent company of high street brands such as Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti. The 37-year-old Marta Ortega has been with the company for 15 years, starting her career as an assistant at Bershka before moving on to various roles in women’s merchandising, branding, and other areas.
Inditex was founded by Amancio Ortega and his ex-wife Rosalia in 1975 in Galicia, Spain. Amancio Ortega, one of the world’s richest men with an estimated net worth of $77.8 billion, served as chairman of Inditex until 2011. Marta Ortega will replace Pablo Isla, who has worked at Inditex for nearly two decades, first as CEO and most recently as executive chair.
View this post on Instagram
Marta Ortega’s appointment as chairwoman marks a surprise move that brings the world’s biggest clothing retailer back under the family’s control. She has been credited with strengthening the retailer’s brand image, having led several campaigns, including the launch of Zara’s premium collections such as Zara SRPLS and Charlotte Gainsbourg by Zara.
As chairwoman, Marta Ortega will face numerous challenges, including addressing the environmental costs of fast fashion and navigating supply chain concerns. However, she is expected to receive support from her father, Amancio Ortega, and new CEO Óscar García Maceiras.
Despite some analysts expressing concerns about her elevation, Marta Ortega has stated that she has grown up around the company and learned a lot during her time working there. Her appointment as chairwoman signifies a generational handover process within the Spanish retail giant, as she aims to build upon her parents’ legacy while looking to the future and learning from the past.
