'No such thing as balancing work, family': Indra Nooyi's heartfelt note for husband

Indra and Raj Nooyi have two daughters. (Image credit: indranooyi/Instagram)

Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO, has been vocal about her how women need to go that extra mile to remain on top of their career as well as have a happy family life. Earlier this week, she said there is no such thing as balancing work and family and that it is a “constant juggling act”.

Nooyi, one of the most powerful business leaders in the world, wrote a Valentine’s Day note for her husband Raj K Nooyi, appreciating him for having her back at all times. The mother of two children, has spoken candidly while at PepsiCo of the difficulties in balancing commitments.

“The truth is, there is no such thing as balancing work and family. It's a constant juggling act. And many times, it's the people around us — like our life partners — who make this juggling possible. It's a reminder that family isn't female. Family is family. A very Happy Valentine's Day, Raj — today, you top the list,” she wrote on LinkedIn on Monday.

She also shared an excerpt from her memoir, “My Life in Full”, where she narrated how her husband would tell her that her PepsiCo, their daughters and her mother top her priority list, and that he is at the bottom. Her joking response to this would be, “At least you are on the list.” Indra Nooyi says her husband, in reality, transcends this list and that their marriage works and lasts only because they both are in on this journey together for their entire family’s success.

Nooyi, 66, has often spoken about her personal and professional journey, and about the challenges of rising up the corporate ladder as an immigrant woman in the United States.

Read: The secret of building a successful career, according to Indra Nooyi

She is one of the two Indian-origin women to become a global CEO, the second being Chanel’s new boss Leena Nair.

She worked at PepsiCo for 24 years, 12 of them as CEO, before stepping down in 2018. . While she was CEO, PepsiCo's revenues grew from $35 billion to $63.5 billion and she became known for promoting such good for you snacks as Baked Lays potato chips and Naked juices made of fruits and vegetables.