Marta Ortega has taken a break from her well-known media discretion to give an interview that hasn't gone unnoticed. Inditex's chairwoman has spoken candidly about her father, Amancio Ortega, and has publicly acknowledged the deep legacy she has received from him. In the year Zara marks its fiftieth anniversary, Marta has addressed one of the most widespread rumors: the influence her father still has on her way of working.
This unexpected gesture took place in a conversation with El País Semanal. In this interview, the businesswoman not only reviewed her career in the company, but also revealed her most human side. What did she say exactly about her father? Why has this moment been key to speak about him openly?
Marta Ortega acknowledges the lessons she inherited from Amancio Ortega to lead Inditex
Last April marked three years since Marta Ortega officially took over as chairwoman of Inditex group. Since then, she has kept a low profile policy, with hardly any public statements about her role or her family environment. However, in 2025, with Zara's 50th anniversary as a backdrop, the businesswoman has chosen to speak.
For years, there has been speculation about the degree of Amancio Ortega's involvement in the group's current decisions. Although Marta has always been protective of her privacy, this time she has naturally confirmed that her father remains her main role model. "All this is what my father has taught us: you always have to be ready for whatever may come," she said in the interview.
Far from sticking to formal praise, Marta Ortega has detailed how those lessons from Amancio still permeate every corner of the company. When asked whether Inditex has kept its original essence, the chairwoman was clear:
"The company has grown a lot, but we keep working with the same essence. Saying this about ourselves may sound odd, but I'd speak of humility, we don't like to think we're anything special. Also the day-to-day work, which is what really matters."
This statement not only reinforces Inditex's image, but also disproves theories that spoke of a possible break with its values after Amancio's departure. Marta has claimed humility as the driving force behind her work, and has emphasized how that spirit remains alive, from decision-making to the way achievements are celebrated.
Aware of the risk of stagnating in success, Marta has shared another of the maxims she has inherited: "We have a very particular way of working and we celebrate things just enough. When everything is going well, it's easy to relax and think nothing needs to change. We think that's when you really have to get ahead," she shared.
Amancio Ortega's philosophy still present in his daughter's leadership style
The message leaves no room for doubt: Marta Ortega admits that her father's mark is alive and still guides many of her decisions. The "being ready" philosophy that Amancio so often preached has proven more useful than ever in a changing global context. This mindset, based on anticipation and continuous effort, is what she considers one of the keys to Inditex's business success.
Another value Marta has wanted to highlight is teamwork. Not as an empty slogan, but as a structural principle of the company. Throughout the interview, she insisted that major advances come from working together with her employees, with whom she keeps direct contact.
With this interview, Marta Ortega has decided to pause her usual silence to confirm, with sincere words, the enormous impact of Amancio Ortega on her leadership. Far from denying the rumors, she has validated them with a deep reflection on work, humility, and foresight. Her message not only honors her father, but also sets out a roadmap for Inditex's future.