Ratan Tata

Ratan Naval Tata (28 December 1937 – 9 October 2024) was an Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, one of India's largest and oldest conglomerates. Under his leadership from 1991 to 2012, the Tata Group underwent a dramatic transformation, expanding globally through strategic acquisitions including Jaguar Land Rover, Corus Steel, and Tetley Tea. Born into the Tata family, one of India's most prominent business dynasties, Ratan Tata was educated at Cornell University and Harvard Business School. He joined the Tata Group in 1962 and worked his way up through various Tata companies. He was appointed chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding his great-uncle J.R.D. Tata. As chairman, Ratan Tata led the group's expansion into global markets. The acquisitions of Tetley Tea (2000), Corus Steel (2007), and Jaguar Land Rover (2008) transformed Tata from a primarily Indian conglomerate into a truly global enterprise. Revenue grew from $5 billion to over $100 billion during his tenure. He also launched the Tata Nano in 2008, marketed as the world's most affordable car at $2,500, though it eventually struggled commercially. Tata was equally known for his philanthropy. The Tata Group companies are required to give 66% of their profits to charitable trusts, which fund the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Tata Memorial Hospital (one of Asia's largest cancer treatment centers), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and numerous educational institutions. After his retirement as chairman in 2012, Ratan Tata continued to serve as chairman emeritus and remained an active investor in Indian startups, personally investing in companies like Paytm, Ola, and Snapdeal. He passed away on 9 October 2024 at the age of 86. His death was mourned across India, and he was given a state funeral — a rare honor for a business leader.