Ratan Tata: Visionary Leader Who Took Tata Group Global, Dies at 86
Ratan Tata, one of India’s most influential and respected business leaders, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86 in Mumbai. His death was confirmed by the Tata Group, which did not disclose the specific cause but indicated he had been receiving treatment in a critical care unit. During his tenure as chairman and CEO of the Tata Group, which spanned from 1991 to 2012, Tata played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a global conglomerate. Under his leadership, the company’s profits soared, growing fiftyfold, largely due to international ventures like the acquisitions of Jaguar, Land Rover, and Tetley Tea.
Despite the Tata Group’s global expansion, its impact on everyday life in India remained profound under Ratan Tata’s guidance. Tata-branded products became an integral part of the daily routine of many Indians. From Tata tea and Tata Sky for television to Tata cars and taxis, his company’s goods and services were ever-present. Even Tata Steel contributed to countless products used by millions of people. While other business groups began to challenge Tata in terms of revenue and valuation in the 2010s, none could rival Ratan Tata’s widespread admiration. Known for his philanthropic efforts, he committed the majority of his wealth to charitable causes and investments in young entrepreneurs who lacked sufficient funding.
One of the aspects that set the Tata Group apart was its unique ownership structure. Tata Sons, the parent company, was mostly owned by philanthropic trusts established by Tata family members, adding a layer of intrigue to its operations. Unlike many other business magnates, Ratan Tata maintained a relatively low public profile, cultivating the image of a private, shy individual. He never married or had children and often referred to himself as a loner. However, later in his career, he faced significant public attention when a major leadership controversy erupted over the ousting of his handpicked successor.
Born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai (then Bombay), during the era of British colonial rule, Ratan Tata belonged to the Parsi community, descendants of Zoroastrians who fled persecution in Persia centuries earlier. The Tata family’s wealth dated back to the 19th century, rooted in ventures such as the opium trade and textile manufacturing. Ratan Tata’s father, Naval Tata, eventually rose to a leadership role within the Tata Group. However, Ratan’s parents separated when he was young, and both he and his younger brother, Jimmy, were raised by their paternal grandmother. Despite his wealthy upbringing in a lavish Mumbai residence, Ratan Tata reflected on the personal challenges he faced due to his parents’ divorce, which was less common at the time.
Tata’s education took him to the United States, where he attended Riverdale Country School in New York City, later graduating with an architecture degree from Cornell University. He also completed management courses at Harvard Business School. Although his personal life remained relatively quiet, Ratan Tata indulged his passion for sports cars, planes, and speedboats, often taking his boat out from Mumbai’s harbor.
After joining the Tata Group in 1962, Tata began his career at Tata Steel before advancing through various management positions. His ascent was not without challenges, as he initially struggled to turn around the company’s electronics subsidiary, which eventually became profitable again years later.
When J.R.D. Tata, his predecessor, retired in 1991 after leading the Tata Group for 50 years, he chose Ratan Tata to succeed him. This decision was met with resistance from other Tata family members and executives, but Ratan ultimately consolidated his power, guiding the conglomerate towards international expansion. His acquisitions of iconic British brands like Jaguar and Tetley symbolized a form of reverse colonialism, with an Indian company purchasing well-known British businesses.
In 2012, upon reaching 75, Ratan Tata stepped down from his executive roles, appointing Cyrus Mistry as his successor. However, Mistry’s leadership soon sparked tensions, leading to his ousting in 2016, a decision that Ratan Tata fully supported. This high-profile corporate battle dominated Indian media for years until the Supreme Court of India ultimately sided with the Tata Group in 2021.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Ratan Tata was deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting education, healthcare, and agricultural projects in India, and contributing to global institutions such as Cornell and Harvard. He also backed more than 50 startups in India, with a particular fondness for ventures promoting intergenerational relationships in business.