Natasha Poonawalla wears many hats—no surprise if they are artisanal creations by Margiela or Schiaparelli. Married to Adar Poonawalla, she is the executive director of the Serum Institute of India (SSI), part of one of India’s wealthiest business families, with a net worth of $22.9 billion. The SSI is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, and Natasha is a powerhouse of fashion and philanthropy. Dubbed the “Gluten-Free Vegan Mother” by her two sons, Cyrus and Darius, Natasha travels extensively in her fleet of private jets, owns palatial homes in several corners of the world, and hobnobs with elite circles. Whether rubbing shoulders with King Charles and ex-British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, attending high-profile events with Katy Perry and Leonardo DiCaprio, or making a statement at the MET Gala, Natasha’s presence is felt. At 43, she is the stunning chair of the Villoo Poonawalla Charitable Foundation, named after her late mother-in-law.
But Natasha is more than just a fashion icon—she is deeply involved in the family’s horse racing and breeding business, manages five schools with 2,000 students, and spearheads the Adar Poonawalla Clean City initiatives. She went from the woman who once said, “I was not anywhere close to ambitious.” to “I always tell Adar I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Poonawalla is far from a sleeping beauty; she’s a whirlwind of energy with an endless array of surprises to keep us all on our toes. Here’s a glimpse into what fuels this charismatic multi-tasker, who boldly wears her heart on her sleeve and handles charity and couture like a dream-
Early life and family-
Natasha Poonawalla was born on November 26, 1981, in the Western Indian city of Pune, to Minnie and Pramesh Aurora. She grew up in a traditional household with her older brother, Amit, near the Osho Ashram. Reflecting on her upbringing, she once said, “I was raised with the notion that education was very important, but the women around me were running homes and taking care of people.” After completing her graduation from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Natasha earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, where her world truly expanded. She studied organizational behavior and change management, and it was during this time that she met her husband, Adar Poonawalla.
Shortly after their nuptials, Natasha was brought into the family business. However, rather than stepping in as the boss’s wife, she started as an intern at SSI, determined to learn the ropes of the business from the ground up. Serum Institute of India employs nearly 5,000 employees in India.
Her A-List Friend Circle Spans the Globe-
“All my friends are working girls and guys, and all of them have a direction in life. That’s the kind of people I’m attracted to,” Natasha shared. Her “working friends,” however, are far from ordinary—they include illustrious names like centibillionaire Jeff Bezos’s fiancée Lauren Sanchez, who was seen twinning with the savvy Natasha in Schiaparelli and even captioned the image, “Best NY weekend. I think Natasha Poonawalla and I ‘nailed’ our look.”
Natasha was spotted with Titanic superstar Leonardo DiCaprio at an upscale London restaurant in 2023, and she was also seen posing on a superyacht with ‘homie’ Toby Maguire and other pals.
She is close friends with Salma Hayek, supermodel Gigi Hadid, and tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, with all of them showering love on each other on social media.
Closer to home, Asia’s richest family, the Ambanis, often see Natasha attending their family functions. On the fashion front, this undisputed queen of fashion rubs shoulders with Naomi Campbell and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful at fashion shows.
The 42-year-old was spotted at AMFAR with Karolina Kurková, at the Love Ball with Natalia Vodianova, and even dining with Prince William. Her close ties to several top celebrities from the Indian film industry are also well known.
An unapologetic couture queen-
From calling herself a “fat girl in traditional Indian attire” to donning head-to-toe Chanel and oversized Philip Treacy hats, the executive director of the Serum Institute of India, is an unabashed couture lover on a first-name basis with the world’s elite designers, such as Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana, and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele.
“I have been a clotheshorse all my life,” she once told a writer for a weekend supplement. “Dressing is a creative outlet for me.” The high priestess of fashion has turned heads in designs by Andy Ho, John Galliano, and the late Karl Lagerfeld. She clearly adores luxury labels like Chanel, Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, and Jacquemus, often sporting Hermès handbags with the confidence of a total boss babe.
Natasha continues to be a fashion icon in India. In an interview with Vogue India, she said, “I realize that people judge you by what you’re wearing, so I’ve started dressing like who I feel on that particular day. If I want to wear a ball gown and walk the streets, I will.” When asked about future plans, she replied, “Promote new designers, curate, and maybe have a fashion museum or traveling exhibit someday. I’ve been a collector for many years.”
Art-filled homes, hordes of horses, and splendid supercars-
The Poonawalla clan is synonymous with success, and their passion for stables is equally renowned. Adar and Natasha Poonawalla’s ultra-luxurious 247-acre stud farmhouse in Pune, sprawling across nearly half the expanse of Monaco, is adorned with artwork by Picasso, Dali, Rembrandt, and Rubens. Their horses have dominated the racing scene for over forty years, winning several Derbies and 364 classic races. Their majestic Pune mansion is also home to priceless artifacts and masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Marc Chagall, and contemporary English artist Damien Hirst.
In Mumbai, they acquired the 50,000-square-foot palace of the Maharaja of Wankaner, a sea-facing property in posh South Mumbai, for nearly $90 million. The historic edifice, renamed ‘Lincoln House’ when it was bought by the U.S. government, once served as the U.S. consulate.
The fashionista and her family reside in one of London’s most expensive home-
In 2023, Adar Poonawalla purchased the lavish Aberconway House—a 25,000-square-foot home from the 1920s near Hyde Park—for a staggering $177 million. The lavish property is the second-most expensive home ever sold in London and the biggest deal of the year 2023. Originally intended for business, this grand property has become a monument to Natasha’s tastes. It features a section dedicated to wearable art, including a mannequin dressed in MET Gala Schiaparelli haute couture and ensembles by Sabyasachi, alongside artwork by Matisse and Monet. It is truly a mecca of magnificence.
The jet-setting diva graces the skies with her luxurious fleet-
When you’re a tycoon with luxury properties across the globe, a fleet becomes a necessity, not just a luxury. That’s not to say Poonawalla’s fleet isn’t opulent. The Gulfstream 550 can take the socialite anywhere in the world with just one stop. The Global 6000, with a range of 11,112 km, allows her to fly non-stop to Dublin, Paris, or Tokyo.
For commuting between her homes in Pune and Mumbai, she relies on the all-weather Airbus H145 helicopter. Adar Poonawalla was the first Indian to receive a customized ACH145 helicopter by Airbus. A lover of luxury himself, the Indian businessman boasts an impressive fleet of over thirty supercars, including Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, and several rare vintage models.
The “Vaccine Prince” even went all out for his elder son Cyrus’s sixth birthday by modifying a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to resemble a Batmobile, per Openthemagazine.com.
A global philanthropist making a difference-
Pune-born Natasha Poonawalla chairs the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation, channeling her philanthropy to uplift underprivileged communities through education, healthcare, and sanitation. The Poonawalla family’s global impact is significant, with the Serum Institute of India manufacturing nearly 1.5 billion vaccine doses for around 170 developing countries. Natasha’s dedication earned her the role of chairperson for the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund for India, appointed by Prince Charles. Her philanthropy also involves global dialogues on education and city development, including meetings with leaders from Norway, Sweden, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
