The Tata group announced on Wednesday that Ratan Tata, former chairman who led India’s mega company through multiple significant international acquisitions died at the age of 86 at a hospital in mumbai.
Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed Tata’s death and described him in a statement as his “friend, mentor, and guide.” He did not provide a cause of death. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai. Mr. Ratan Tata was under intensive medical care for age related ailments. His death marks an end to the profound era in Indian business.
The tycoon led the Tata Group – known as a “salt-to-software” conglomerate of more than 100 companies, employing some 660,000 people – for more than two decades. Its annual revenues are in excess of $100bn (£76.5bn)
Key Figures:
- Birth: December 28, 1937
- Death: October 9, 2024
- Tata Group tenure: 1991–2012
- Major acquisitions: Tetley (2000), Corus (2007), Jaguar & Land Rover (2008)
- Net worth of Tata Sons: $311 billion in revenue (2024)
- Philanthropic contributions: Over 60% of Tata Sons’ profits directed to charitable causes through Tata Trusts
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Tata as a visionary leader, and a compassionate and extraordinary human being.
“He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond boardrooms,” Modi said on X.
Early Life & Education- Born on December 28,1937, in one of the noble Tata family, raised up in Mumbai. His father, Naval Tata, was adopted by Ratanji Tata, a key figure in the early expansion of the Tata Group. Ratan Tata got his education from Campion School, Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, and then at Bishop Cotton School in Shimla. He pursued architecture as a higher education field in the USA from Cornell University. In 1975, he also completed the Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School.
Career Path- joined Tata group in 1962 and worked dedicatedly. He gained experience in vast group operations including Tata Steels where he worked at the factory floor. One of the main challenges he came across during his career was reviving National Radio and Electronics (NELCO), a struggling company of Tata group. Despite his efforts and hardwork NELCO kept declining in his career, which made him humble and helped him shape his leadership skills. In 1991 he succeeded his uncle J.R.D Tata as the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata Groups, over many senior company aspirants waiting for that position “If you were to find the publications of that time, the criticism was personal – JRD got clubbed with nepotism and I was branded as the wrong choice,” Ratan Tata later said. This turn of event took place at a very critical point in India’s Economy, as it was expanding its pathways and opening up the door for international investments and competition.
His leadership turned Tata Group into a global conglomerate, the group made many bold acquisitions that catapulted Tata Group onto the international stage. Among them were; the purchase of Tetley in 2000 for $430 million, making Tata a global player in the tea industry; the acquisition of steel giant Corus in 2007 for $13 billion, which was the largest-ever Indian takeover of a foreign company at the time; and the acquisition of British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 for $2.3 billion.
Under his leadership, Tata Motors launched the world ‘s cheapest car Tata Nano, that aimed to provide low cost of transportation but affordable cars turned out to be a disappointment. It was launched in 2009,costing just 100,000 rupees ($1,222; £982). But after the initial success and euphoria, the brand began to lose out to other manufacturers due to issues with production and marketing. Tata later said it was a “huge mistake to brand Nano as the world’s cheapest car. People don’t want to be seen driving the world’s cheapest car!” Tata Indica was also launched as India’s first domestically produced automobile.
Ratan Tata retired as chairman of Tata Sons in 2012 but continued as chairman emeritus. He also invested in promising Indian startups after his retirement, including companies like Ola, Paytm, and Snapdeal, reflecting his belief in India’s entrepreneurial potential.
Ratan Tata’s death signifies the end of an era, his legacy will live on thanks to the numerous businesses and humanitarian endeavors he helped create and support. His indelible mark on both Indian industry and society will be remembered for generations to come.