Some journeys are not defined by success alone. They are defined by resilience, healing, and the courage to turn pain into purpose. The story of Divya Gupta Kotawala is one such journey. In 2026, she stands as a powerful example of a modern Indian woman who has transformed personal loss into a mission of hope, leadership, and inspiration.
Pearl Academy and FICCI FLO recently invited Divya Gupta Kotawala as a special guest and panel speaker for the event Weddings Academia. Her presence on the panel reflected her growing influence as both an entrepreneur and a thought leader in the creative and lifestyle space. During the session she shared insights about heritage craftsmanship, bridal aesthetics, and the evolving landscape of Indian fashion and jewellery. Her experience as the founder of House of Kotawala, a jewellery brand that carries an extraordinary legacy of nearly three hundred years, added depth to the discussion, especially in conversations about preserving traditional artistry while embracing modern bridal trends.
Divya’s leadership journey also earned her a place on the Forbes List of Most Inspiring Leaders of 2024. In recognition of her networking and leadership contributions she received the Champions of the Year Award by the Ladies Who Lead organisation for two consecutive years in 2025 and 2026.
Divya Gupta Kotawala has also been actively associated with the fashion and lifestyle ecosystem through her involvement in hosting exclusive events for well known brands such as JADE, House of Masaba, and COYU. These high profile gatherings bring together designers, entrepreneurs, influencers, and cultural voices from across India. Through these events she plays an important role in fostering creative conversations and strengthening networks within the luxury fashion and design community.
While entrepreneurship gave her a platform to build something meaningful, the most defining turning point in her life came in 2021. Divya lost her father Shri Suresh Gupta to COVID. The loss deeply shook her world. The daughter who had always shared an incredibly strong bond with her father found herself struggling with overwhelming grief. What once felt like a joyful and energetic life suddenly felt empty and uncertain. Instead of allowing grief to silence her, Divya turned to writing.
At the age of forty Divya Gupta Kotawala became an author and wrote her deeply personal book My Dad’s Daughter. The book became a heartfelt tribute to the man she considered her hero. Through honest storytelling and emotional reflection, she documented the experience of losing a parent and navigating the long road toward healing. The book resonated strongly with readers who had faced similar losses during the pandemic and beyond.
My Dad’s Daughter soon climbed the bestseller charts and reached Rank 7 among the Top 10 bestselling books on Amazon. Beyond commercial success, the book became a source of comfort for many people struggling with grief and emotional closure. Through this work Divya discovered a new calling. Writing became her voice and her platform to help others process pain and rediscover hope.
More about Divya Gupta Kotawala
Born and brought up in Delhi, Divya Gupta Kotawala has always balanced multiple roles with grace. She is a wife, a mother to an eighteen year old daughter, a successful entrepreneur, an author, and a loyal friend to a circle she has cherished for nearly four decades. Her life reflects a rare blend of warmth, ambition, creativity, and emotional depth.
Divya’s educational journey laid a strong foundation for her creative and professional path. She completed her schooling at the prestigious Modern School Barakhamba Road in Delhi. She later pursued her Honours in History at the highly respected St. Stephen’s College under Delhi University. Driven by her passion for design and creativity, she then enrolled at the National Institute of Fashion Technology where she studied fashion design. During this period she also interned with renowned designers Ashima and Leena Singh, gaining exposure to the world of fashion and craftsmanship.
This creative background eventually led her into entrepreneurship. Divya Gupta Kotawala is the founder of House of Kotawala through which she aims to bring handcrafted heritage jewellery to modern Indian brides while supporting the skilled artisans who keep traditional craftsmanship alive. House of Kotawala operates with its own in house manufacturing unit, creating pieces that combine heritage artistry with contemporary elegance. For Divya, the brand is not only a business venture but also a mission to strengthen India’s artisan community and promote the spirit of Made in India craftsmanship.
In November 2024 she became part of the anthology Stories of Courage, which was released alongside eleven other authors. The book highlights inspiring narratives of strength, resilience, and transformation. Through these literary contributions Divya has slowly built a reputation as a writer who speaks from the heart and connects deeply with readers navigating emotional challenges.
As her voice grew stronger, so did her influence. Divya began engaging with audiences through public speaking, podcasts, and literary events. She was invited to speak at major platforms such as the World Book Fair in both 2024 and 2025, the Delhi Literature Festival, and the Jashn Events Literature Festival. She also delivered a powerful TEDx Talk titled Together Towards Tomorrow, which received an overwhelming response from audiences and viewers online.
Beyond literature and speaking engagements, Divya actively participates in influential professional and social networks. She is associated with organisations such as FICCI YFLO, CII IWN, Ladies Who Lead, COWE, and BNI. Within the Ladies Who Lead network she serves as a Community Champion, recognising her dedication to building meaningful connections and empowering other women. She also serves as the Campaign Director for the Ashhwika Foundation NGO, supporting philanthropic initiatives and community development.
Divya Gupta Kotawala has also created her own initiative called #fromtheheart, a community driven platform that brings together people in Delhi for meaningful events, conversations, and shared experiences that inspire growth and connection.
Her inspiring journey has earned her recognition across multiple national platforms.
Divya’s impact has also been widely acknowledged through numerous awards and recognitions across literature, entrepreneurship, and women leadership platforms. Her book has been featured at several major literary events including the Delhi Book Fair, the Chinar Book Festival, and the Goa Book Festival. She has received the SRG Literary Award for Best Biography and the Her Story Times Inspiration Award. She was recognised as the Fox Story India Women Face of the Year and received the Women Excellence Award for Prominent Author of Delhi.
She has also been honoured with awards such as the Fempreneur Conference Award by Vyapar Jagat, the Sahitya Sparsh Award, the Asia Excellence Award, the Icon of India Award by the Inspiring Women Committee, and the Iconic Business Woman and Author Award by AIWA. Her journey has been recognised by prominent media platforms including Midday, Hindustan Times, IANS, and FEMINA Magazine. She has also been listed among the Top 30 Successful Women and Top Inspirational Women by multiple platforms celebrating women leadership.
Despite the accolades and growing influence, Divya remains grounded in the values that shaped her life. She deeply values spirituality and regularly engages in chanting and prayer. She is also a devoted follower of Guruji and often credits her spiritual practice for helping her navigate life’s most difficult moments.
Today Divya Gupta Kotawala continues to expand her work as an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and community builder. Her vision is to create a supportive space where people can come together not only to celebrate happiness but also to share grief and heal together.
For Divya, life after loss is not about forgetting the past. It is about honouring it by creating something meaningful for the future. Her journey stands as a reminder that even the deepest pain can become the beginning of a powerful purpose.
And perhaps one day, when she meets her father again, she hopes he will simply say the words that keep her moving forward every single day. Thank you for continuing my story.
