Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata breathed his last on October 9 in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. As the entire nation mourns his loss, we shed light on a few interesting facts about him.
Ratan Tata is known for his philanthropic work, having reportedly donated billions of dollars over the years. As a result, despite overseeing the creation of a $300 billion empire, he remains off the billionaire list.
Tata was adopted by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated when he was just 10 years old. He received his early education in Mumbai and Shimla before graduating from Riverdale Country School in New York City in 1955. He later attended Cornell University and went on to study at Harvard Business School.
Ratan Tata turned down a lucrative job offer from IBM to dedicate himself to building the Tata Group, the company he became synonymous with. He began his career managing the blast furnace and limestone dump, and over the years, led several key projects. In 1991, he became CEO of the Tata Group.
Tata was a trained pilot and became the first Indian to fly the F-16 Falcon fighter jet in 2007. He once saved the lives of his classmates by safely landing an aircraft after its engine failed mid-air.
Ratan Tata and his love for dogs is well known. He frequently used his Instagram platform to find shelter homes for stray dogs and made it a point to ensure that animals entering the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai were treated with kindness and care.
Ratan Tata was an avid art collector and car enthusiast. He particularly admired the works of renowned artists like MF Husain, SH Raza, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Jehangir Sabavala. His impressive collection included both vintage and modern vehicles, such as a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, Ferrari California, and a Royal Enfield Bullet.