PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Ratan Naval Tata
Profession(s): Industrialist, Investor, Philanthropist
Date of Birth: 28 December 1937 (Tuesday)
Birthplace: Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Age (at the time of death): 86 Years
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Religion: Zoroastrianism
Ethnicity: Parsee (a small, tightly-knit Zoroastrian community, which originates from Persia) [1] The Guardian
Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian [2] The Telegraph
Age: 86 Years
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EDUCATION
School: • Campion School, Mumbai • Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai
College/University: • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA • Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Educational Qualification(s): • B.S. degree in architecture with structural engineering from Cornell University, New York • Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School, 1975
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 177 cm in meters – 1.77 m in feet & inches – 5’ 10”
Eye Colour: Light Brown
Hair Colour: Gray
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status (at the time of death): Unmarried
Affairs/Girlfriends: Simi Garewal (actress) Note: In an interview, when asked how many times he had been in love, he replied, “seriously, four times.” [4] The Economic Times
Wife/Spouse: N/A
Children: None
Parents: Father – Naval Tata (businessman) Mother – Sooni Commissariat
Siblings: Brother(s) – Jimmy Tata (businessman), Noel Tata (half-brother) (businessman) Sister – None
Family Tree: Note: To know more about the Tata family, read our Tata Family Tree post.
Marital Status: Unmarried
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours: • Padma Bhushan in 2000 • Padma Vibhushan in 2008 • Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2009 • Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2009 • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan in 2012 • Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 2014 • Commander of the Legion of Honour by the Government of France in 2016 • In October 2022, he received ‘Sewa Ratna’ from the RSS-affiliated Sewa Bharti for his philanthropic pursuits. • In April 2023, Order of Australia (AO), Australia’s highest civilian honour, was presented to him for his efforts in strengthening the India-Australia bilateral relations. • On 19 August 2023, Maharashtra’s first Udyog Ratna award was presented to him by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar at his residence in Mumbai • PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for philanthropy work – 2024
MONEY FACTOR
Car Collection: Ferrari California, Honda Civic, Land Rover Freelander, Maserati Quattroporte, Cadillac XLR, Mercedes Benz 500 SL, Chrysler Sebring, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Jaguar F-Type, Jaguar XF-R
Assets/Properties: for detailed information, click here
Net Worth (approx.): $291 billion (as in 2010) [6] Forbes
OTHER INFORMATION
Date of Death: 9 October 2024
Place of Death: Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai
Death Cause: Age-related health issues
Address: Ratan Tata lived in a sea-facing three-storied house (designed by himself) in Mumbai’s Colaba region. [3] daily.bhaskar.com
Hobbies: Listening to old Hindi Songs, Painting, Driving, Flying Jet Planes, Playing the Piano, Reading, Playing with his pet dogs
Businessmen: JRD Tata, Jean Riboud (the former chairman of the world’s leading oilfield services provider- Schlumberger)
Colour: White
Food: Masoor Dal cooked with lots of garlic, Mutton Pulao Dal, and Nut-rich baked custard [5] The Telegraph
Holiday Destination: California
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ratan Tata, a defining figure in the history of the Tata Group, was well-known not only for his remarkable business acumen but also for his profound simplicity. Over his 21-year tenure as Chairman, from 1991 to 2012, he transformed the conglomerate, increasing revenues more than 40 times and profits over 50 times. Despite his immense success, Tata was often described with words like “shy” and “loner,” reflecting a personality that preferred the quiet comfort of an ordinary life. Without the indulgence of smoking or drinking, he chose to drive himself to work in a modest Tata sedan, eschewing the media spotlight that often accompanies figures of his stature.
Tata’s roots trace back to a family with a rich legacy in business, initiated by Jamsetji Tata, who established a textile mill in 1868. This mill not only marked the beginning of a formidable business empire but also introduced progressive workplace practices, such as pensions and accident compensation, which were revolutionary for the Indian context at that time. Yet, as the family prospered, it faced a pressing issue: a dwindling line of heirs. Ratan’s own background added layers to his identity—he was a Tata by birth, with familial ties extending to both his maternal grandmother, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing, and his grandfather, Hormusji Tata.
Upon joining the Tata Group in 1961, Ratan Tata’s path was shaped by humble beginnings, starting with hands-on work at Tata Steel where he managed tasks such as shoveling limestone. His practical understanding of business dynamics and visionary mindset led him to ascend to the chairmanship in 1991, succeeding JRD Tata. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded significantly, distinguishing itself on the global stage through strategic acquisitions such as Tata Tea’s purchase of Tetley and Tata Motors’ acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover. Additionally, he made history by introducing India’s first indigenous car, the Tata Indica, in 1998, a feat he pursued against skepticism about the viability of such an endeavor.
Beyond business, Ratan Tata possessed a deep social conscience which set him apart; he prioritized fairness over profit and owned less than 1% of the Tata Group. His affection for dogs was well-known, as he often spent time with his beloved pets, Maximus and Tito, and maintained a tradition at the Bombay House of allowing stray dogs shelter during rainy days. Ratan’s personal life was marked by moments of love and friendship; he candidly shared about the romantic relationships he experienced, including a significant attachment to a woman in the United States, with whom circumstances led to a parting of ways.
Ratan Tata’s legacy remains influential even after his passing on October 9, 2024. His final wishes reflected his caring nature, as he bequeathed substantial financial support to his staff and set up significant contributions to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation and Trust. He was cremated with state honors, a departure from traditional Parsi customs, as he chose cremation over the more conventional sky burial. His impact resonated through heartfelt tributes, including a moment during a live concert by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who paused to honor Tata’s memory. Ratan Tata’s life was a blend of business brilliance, personal humility, and a commitment to social responsibility, leaving behind an indelible mark on both his family legacy and the broader Indian society.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.