15 Incredible Facts About Ratan Tata That Prove He’s More Than a Business Tycoon

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, one of India’s largest companies, died at the age of 86. On Monday, the entrepreneur denied suspicions about his health in a social media post, stating that he was undergoing standard medical tests owing to his age.

Here are 15 key facts about his life and contributions:

1. Ratan Tata, an iconic figure in Indian industry and philanthropy, passed away on October 9, 2024.
2. Ratan Naval Tata was born in Mumbai on December 28, 1937. His grandmother raised him after his parents divorced when he was ten years old.
3. He graduated from Cornell University in 1962 with a degree in architecture after initially studying mechanical engineering.
4. Ratan Tata started his career at Tata Steel in 1961, where he worked on the shop floor overseeing operations.
5. He became the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991 and served until 2012, briefly returning as interim chairman in 2016.
6. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded to operate in over 100 countries, achieving significant revenue growth.
7. Ratan Tata led several high-profile acquisitions, including Jaguar Land Rover and Corus, transforming Tata into a global conglomerate.
8. He introduced the Tata Nano in 2009, marketed as the world’s cheapest car at a price of Rs. 1 lakh.
9. Tata was known for his philanthropic efforts, with approximately 66% of Tata Sons owned by charitable trusts that support education and healthcare.
10. Ratan Tata never married and had no children, focusing instead on his business and philanthropic endeavors.
11. He was a skilled pilot and became the first Indian to fly an F-16 Falcon in 2007.
12. Ratan Tata received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 for his contributions to industry and society.
13. His tenure saw a more than 40-fold increase in revenues and over a 50-fold increase in profits for the Tata Group.
14. The Tata Group faced significant challenges during events like the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, where their flagship hotel was targeted.
15. One of his last major achievements was the reacquisition of Air India in 2021, nearly 90 years after it was nationalized.

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