Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected and internationally renowned business leaders, passed away at the age of 86, according to an announcement from the Tata Group. The company, which he led for over two decades, has grown to become one of India’s largest conglomerates, generating annual revenues exceeding $100 billion. Tata’s leadership marked an era of transformative growth and global recognition for the business group.
The current chairman of Tata Sons, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, described Tata as a “truly uncommon leader” in a statement reflecting on his profound impact. Chandrasekaran expressed his condolences, adding, “His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”
During his tenure as chairman, Tata Group made several high-profile acquisitions, cementing its global status. These included the purchase of the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus, UK-based luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, and Tetley, the world’s second-largest tea company. Ratan Tata’s strategic decisions positioned the group as a significant global player in diverse industries.
In 2011, the Economist magazine described Tata as a “titan,” crediting him with transforming his family’s group into a “global powerhouse.” Despite owning less than 1% of the company, Tata wielded considerable influence as one of India’s most powerful and respected businessmen.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Tata on X (formerly Twitter), calling him a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being.” Modi shared his personal grief, recounting “countless interactions” with Tata and expressing that he was “extremely pained” by his passing.
Born into a traditional Parsi family in 1937, Tata studied architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University in the United States. His career with the Tata Group began in 1962, when he joined Tata Industries as an assistant and trained at a plant in Jamshedpur. He later worked across various sectors within the group, including Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and National Radio and Electronics (Nelco).
In 1991, Tata succeeded JRD Tata, his mentor and a towering figure in Indian business, as the chairman of Tata Sons. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded its global reach and solidified its position as an industrial giant.
In 2008, the Indian government honored Ratan Tata with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award. Peter Casey, author of “The Story of Tata,” described him as “modest, reserved, and even shy,” with a “stately calm” and “fierce discipline.” Despite his formidable business acumen, Tata was widely admired for his humility and simplicity.
Tata was known for his love of fast cars and planes, which were described as his “enduring passions” on the Tata Group’s website. He was also a scuba diving enthusiast, though he had to give up the hobby as he aged. His affection for dogs was a lifelong commitment. In a 2021 interview, he spoke about the deep emotional connection he had with his pets and the difficulty of losing them, stating, “My love for dogs as pets is ever strong and will continue for as long as I live.”
In 2022, a video of Tata traveling in a Nano car—one of the world’s cheapest cars, which was one of the group’s ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful projects—went viral, underscoring his down-to-earth nature.
Tata remained largely out of the spotlight after stepping down as chairman in 2012 and being appointed chairman emeritus of Tata Sons. However, in 2016, he became embroiled in a bitter management dispute when his successor, Cyrus Mistry, was ousted from the role. The controversy was a rare blemish on Tata’s otherwise sterling reputation. Mistry tragically died in a car accident in 2022.
As the world mourns the loss of this extraordinary business tycoon, Ratan Tata’s legacy endures—not just through the monumental success of the Tata Group but through the values of simplicity, compassion, and integrity that he embodied. His visionary leadership and enduring contributions to business and society will continue to inspire future generations.
Melissa Enoch
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