Ratan Naval Tata: Indian Industrialist
Biography
Full Name: Ratan Naval Tata
Date of Birth: December 28, 1937
Place of Birth: Bombay, (now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Industrialist, Philanthropist, Investor
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Religion: Zoroastrianism (Parsi)
Known For: Former Chairman of Tata Group, Philanthropic leadership, Visionary industrial expansion
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight: Approx. 75 kg (165 lbs)
Education
Schooling: Campion School (Mumbai), Cathedral & John Connon School (Mumbai), Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)
College: Cornell University, USA
Degree: B.Arch. in Architecture and Structural Engineering (1962)
Advanced Studies: Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School (1975)
Family
Father: Naval Tata (adopted into Tata family; noted industrialist)
Mother: Sooni Tata
Parents' Divorce: Occurred when he was 10; raised by his grandmother, Lady Navajbai Tata
Brother: Jimmy Tata
Half-Brother: Noel Tata
Marital Status: Unmarried
Children: none
Ratan Tata has remained a private and disciplined figure throughout his life and never married, choosing instead to dedicate himself to business and philanthropy.
Career
Ratan Tata began his career at Tata Steel in 1962, where he worked on the shop floor. He was appointed Chairman of Tata Group in 1991,
succeeding JRD Tata.
Major Achievements:
Transformed the Tata Group into a global business powerhouse
Oversaw the acquisition of Jaguar-Land Rover (UK), Tetley (UK), Corus Steel, and Daewoo (Korea)
Launched the Tata Nano (world's cheapest car at launch)
Expanded Tata Group's presence in IT, steel, cars, hospitality, and telecom
Stepped down as Chairman in 2012, and again briefly held interim chairman position in 2016–2017.
He currently heads Tata Trusts, which is among India's largest charitable organizations.
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth (2024):
Around $1 billion
Note: Despite overseeing a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, Ratan Tata holds relatively modest personal wealth. Most of the Tata Group is owned by philanthropic trusts, which fund health, education, and welfare initiatives in India.
Awards & Honours
Padma Bhushan –
2000 (India's third-highest civilian honor)
Padma Vibhushan –
2008 (India's second-highest civilian honor)
Honorary Doctorates –
From prestigious institutions like Harvard, Cambridge, and more
Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy – 2007
Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) – 2009 (UK)
Lifetime Achievement Awards – Multiple business forums including ET, NDTV, Business India
Summary
Known for his ethical leadership, humility, and commitment to nation-building, he played a pivotal role in globalizing the Tata Group and promoting social responsibility. His legacy lies not just in business growth but in meaningful impact through philanthropy, innovation, and values-driven leadership.
