Ratan Tata, the esteemed former chairman of Tata Sons and a significant figure in Indian industry, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86. He was widely recognized for his leadership as the chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and briefly served as interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017.
Ratan Tata Age
Ratan Tata passed away at the age 86.
Ratan Tata Biography
Full Name | Ratan Naval Tata |
Date of Birth | 28 December 1937 |
Death Date | 9 October 2024 |
Birth Place | Mumbai |
Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
Weight | Not Known |
Education | B.Arch from Cornell University |
Profession | Industrialist, Philanthropist and Former Chairman of Tata Group |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Social Media | Instagram, X |
Ratan Tata Family
Ratan Tata was born to Naval Tata and Sooni Tata. After his birth, his parents another boy, Jimmy. When he was young, his parents divorced. His father got married to Simone, who gave birth to Noel Tata.
Ratan Tata has no children and has never married. He was raised primarily by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents’ divorce.
See also: Kunal Bahl Biography |
Ratan Tata Early Life & Career
Ratan Tata’s educational journey began at Campion School in Mumbai where he studied till 8th grade. He then studied at Cathedral and John Connon School and the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla. For his high school education, he got enrolled at Riverdale Country School in New York City in 1955. In 1962, he completed his graduation in Architecture from Cornell University.
He started his journey at Tata group as an apprentice and rising through ranks over the years. He work across many areas in different companies that were part of the Tata conglomerate. In 1991, JRD Tata stepped down as the chariman of Tata Sons naming Ratan Tata his successor. After taking over as the chairman, he faced initial resistnace from CEOs of many subsidiaries, but overcame that with new policies implementation.
Under his leadership, the group revenue grew over 40 times and profit over 50 times. He scaled the business internationally by acquiring Jaguar, Tetley & Land Rover, and Corus Steel.
He conceptualized Tata Nano, an affordable car for the middle-class of India with a price of 1 lakh.
When he turned 75, he stepped down as the chairman of the Tata group, but returned as interim chairman (2016-2017) when Cyrus Mistry was removed.
Ratan Tata Net Worth
As of 2024, his estimated net worth was Rs. 3,800 crores. This number is considered after accounting his extensive donations of more than 60% of Tata Sons’ profit. His staggering net worth come from:
- His real estate investments
- Profits from Tata group companies
- Personal investments in businesses
Ratan Tata Awards
- Padma Bhushan
- Honorary Fellowship from the London School of Economics and Political Science
- Padma Vibhusan
- “Grand Officer“of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- The Business for Peace Foundation’s ‘Oslo Business for Peace Award’
- Honorary Knight Grand Cross of The Order of the British Empire in 2014
- Assam Baibhav by Assam government
- Order of Australia
Ratan Tata Controversies
Tata Nano Controversy
In 2006, with Ratan Tata’s announcement of plans to manufacture the Tata Nano in Singur, West Bengal, significant protests broke from local farmers. They claimed their land was acquired forcibly for the project. The escalated situation forced company to relocate the project to Gujarat.
Tata Tapes Controversy
In 1997, Ratan Tata got involved in the “Tata tapes” controversy, when the transcripts of unauthorized wiretapped conversations involving him was published by a newspaper. The transcript discussed issues related to Tata Tea and the Assam government. It was alleged that Tata Tea was involved with the separatist group ULFA, Tata maintained that the financial assistance provided was for medical aid.
Radia Tapes Scandal
In 2010, Ratan Tata’s name surfaced in the “Radia tapes” scandal involving corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. Ratan Tata sought legal action to prevent further publication of these conversations, claiming they violated his privacy rights.
Ratan Tata Death
On 9th October 2024, Ratan Tata passed away at the age of 86. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital for age-related ailments and was in a critical condition before his passing.
PM Modi sahred his tribute for Mr. Tata.
He never married and has no children.
Ratan Tata isn’t married.
As of 2024, his net worth is Rs 3,800 crores.
On 9 October 2024, Ratan Tata was admitted in the ICU of Breach Candy Hospital and is in critical condition.
He is a graduate in Architecture from Cornell University.
Children of Ratan Tata’s half brother- Leah, May and Neville Tata are the front-runners to be his successor.
He belongs to Parsi religion.
Ratan Tata donates more than 60% of profits to charity via Tata Trusts.
Naval Hormusji Tata is Ratan Tata’s father.
Ratan Tata is 5 feet 10 inches (1.77m) tall
He has no children.
His philanthropic and charitable donations keeps him even out of Top 200 richest list.