Ratan Tata is one of the most respected and influential figures in India and the world. He is the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, which has interests in various sectors such as steel, automobiles, software, hospitality, and more. He is also known for his philanthropic activities and his support for innovation and entrepreneurship. Here are 10 interesting facts about Ratan Tata that you may not know.
1. He was adopted by his grandmother
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Surat, Gujarat, to Naval Tata and Sonoo Tata. His parents divorced when he was 10 years old, and he and his brother were adopted by their grandmother, Navajbai Tata, who was the widow of Sir Ratan Tata, the founder of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Ratan Tata grew up in Mumbai and attended the Cathedral and John Connon School and the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla.
2. He is a trained pilot
Ratan Tata has a passion for flying and is a licensed pilot. He learned to fly at the age of 17 and became the first Indian to fly the F-16 Falcon fighter jet in 2007. He also flew the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2011 and the Airbus A380 in 2013. He owns several aircraft, including a Dassault Falcon 2000, a Boeing Business Jet, and a Pilatus PC-12.
3. He turned down a job offer from IBM
Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell University in 1962 with a degree in architecture and structural engineering. He also attended the Harvard Business School and completed the Advanced Management Program in 1975. He had received a job offer from IBM after graduating from Cornell, but he declined it and joined the Tata Group in 1962 as a management trainee.
4. He transformed the Tata Group into a global conglomerate
Ratan Tata became the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding JRD Tata, who had been his mentor and guide. He faced many challenges and criticisms in his initial years, as he had to restructure the Tata Group and deal with the license raj, labor unions, and political interference. He also had to face competition from foreign and domestic rivals. He overcame these obstacles and led the Tata Group to new heights of success and expansion. He acquired several companies, such as Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, Corus, and NatSteel, and made the Tata Group a global player in various industries. He also launched the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, in 2008. He retired as the chairman of Tata Sons in 2012, after 21 years of leadership, and handed over the reins to Cyrus Mistry, who was later replaced by Natarajan Chandrasekaran in 2017.
5. He is one of the richest and most generous people in the world
Ratan Tata is one of the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth of about $1 billion, according to Forbes. However, he is not listed as a billionaire, as he owns only 1% of Tata Sons, and the rest is held by various charitable trusts. He has donated about 65% of his wealth to various causes, such as education, health, rural development, environment, and social welfare. He is also the chairman of the Tata Trusts, which are among the largest philanthropic organizations in India. He has received several awards and honors for his philanthropy, such as the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Shri, the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
6. He is a bachelor and lives with his dogs
Ratan Tata has never married and has no children. He lives a simple and modest life in a sea-facing apartment in Colaba, Mumbai. He is an animal lover and has two dogs, a German Shepherd named Tito and a Golden Retriever named Tango. He also supports various animal welfare organizations, such as People for Animals, Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Animal Rahat.
7. He is an avid art collector and car enthusiast
Ratan Tata has a keen interest in art and culture and has a collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs. He is especially fond of the works of MF Husain, SH Raza, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Jehangir Sabavala. He also loves cars and motorcycles and has a collection of vintage and modern vehicles, such as a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, a Ferrari California, a Cadillac XLR, a Chrysler Sebring, a Land Rover Freelander, a Honda Civic, and a Royal Enfield Bullet.
8. He is an angel investor and mentor for startups
Ratan Tata is a visionary and a supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship. He has invested in several startups, such as Ola, Paytm, Snapdeal, Zivame, Urban Ladder, Lenskart, CarDekho, and more. He also mentors and advises young entrepreneurs and helps them with his insights and experience. He is also the chairman emeritus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the Indian Institute of Science, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
9. He is a vocal advocate for social and environmental causes
Ratan Tata is not only a business leader and a philanthropist, but also a social and environmental activist. He has spoken out on various issues, such as corruption, terrorism, climate change, women empowerment, and more. He has also initiated and supported several projects, such as the Tata Swach, a low-cost water purifier, the Tata Power Solar, a renewable energy company, and the Tata Relief Committee, a disaster management team.
10. He is an inspiration and a role model for millions
Ratan Tata is a legend and a role model for millions of people around the world. He is admired and respected for his vision, values, integrity, humility, and generosity. He has inspired and influenced many leaders, celebrities, and personalities, such as Mukesh Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Narendra Modi, and Barack Obama. He has also received several accolades and recognitions, such as the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian award in France, and the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He is also a member of the prestigious Academy of Arts and Sciences in the United States.
