Ratan Tata’s will ensures lifelong care for dog Tito, assets to family, staff

Ratan Tata’s will guarantees lifelong care for his German Shepherd, Tito, a rarity in India, where such pet provisions are still uncommon compared to the West.

Tata’s estate, valued over ₹10,000 crore, designates assets to his foundation, brother Jimmy, half-sisters Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, his household staff, and others.

Tata ensured lifelong security for long-term staff, including cook Rajan Shaw, who will care for Tito, and butler Subbiah, whom he treated as family over three decades.

Tata’s assistant Shantanu Naidu inherits a personal stake, as Tata waived Naidu’s education costs and transferred his interest in Naidu’s startup, Goodfellows.

Tata’s beach bungalow in Alibaug and a Juhu Tara Road house are part of his estate, with unclear future plans for these properties despite their personal significance.

Following Tata Group tradition, Ratan Tata’s 0.83% Tata Sons stake will transfer to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF), dedicated to philanthropic work.

Tata’s Colaba home, Halekai, owned by Tata Sons subsidiary Ewart Investments, awaits decisions by the company on its future use.

The Juhu beach-facing house, inherited with family and inactive for two decades, may be sold, though it holds family legacy ties from Tata’s father, Naval Tata.

Tata’s shares in other group companies, like Tata Motors, will support RTEF, a non-profit launched in 2022 that also holds Tata Technologies and Tata Digital shares.

Tata’s unique car collection, housed across Mumbai, may be transferred to the Tata Group’s Pune museum or auctioned to honour his legacy.

Tata’s awards will be preserved in the Tata Central Archives, part of the Pune museum, safeguarding his legacy for future generations to celebrate.