Sandra Ortega is the second-largest shareholder of Inditex after her father Amancio, who founded the company with her mother, Rosalia Mera. Yet unlike her half-sister Marta, who serves as Inditex's chairwoman, Sandra has never held a role at the business. Her only link to operations has come through her husband, who has held low-profile jobs at the company related to facilities and innovation. Her three young-adult children have also not been involved.
According to Oleiros mayor Angel Garcia Seoane, Sandra lives such an ordinary life that "for all they have," there is little that points to her immense wealth. She has spent most of her life in the town, a windy spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Despite her low profile, Sandra's stake gives her significant influence. The inheritance from her father may not necessarily come in Inditex shares, but her existing holding already provides unusual clout. A potential complication: Amancio's descendants from his two marriages have had almost no relationship for decades. Investors are left wondering how the family shareholders will relate to one another once Amancio, their common link, is no longer around.