Renowned for his indomitable spirit and a net worth of Rs 3,800 crore, Ratan Tata stands as a stalwart figure in India’s business landscape. At 85, he’s not only the former Chairman of Tata Group, a conglomerate valued at Rs. 9.6 trillion ($128 billion) in 2021-2022, but he’s also showcasing a newfound passion for playing the piano.
Despite decades at the helm of India’s biggest business empire, Ratan Tata’s Instagram reflects a man of childlike curiosity, sharing his love for dogs, supercars, jets, and an appreciation for Guns N Roses’ Slash. His authentic online presence has garnered a Twitter following of 12.4 million.
Ratan Tata’s legacy is rooted in a life marked by privilege but shaped by lessons learned from the ground up. In the ’60s, armed with a Cornell degree, he spent three months shoveling limestone on the shop floor of Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant. His journey to becoming Tata Group Chairman in 1991 was marked by hard work and overcoming challenges in consolidating various enterprises under a single banner.
While the Tata legacy is often associated with familial succession, Ratan Tata, who never married, prioritized his grandmother’s care, who had formally adopted him. His educational journey from Mumbai’s top schools to Cornell University laid the foundation for a lifetime of achievements.
Post-retirement in 2012, Ratan Tata turned into a prolific investor, backing 53 startups, including Ola, Ant Financial, and YourStory. His net worth of Rs 3,800 crore, as per the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022, is complemented by a strong philanthropic commitment. As Chairman of Tata Trusts, he ensures 66% of Tata Firms’ earnings go towards charitable causes in education, medicine, rural development, and sports.
Beyond business, Ratan Tata indulges in luxury with a collection of cars, including a Maserati Quattroporte a Jaguar F-Type S, and a Dassault Falcon private jet. His sea-facing Colaba mansion, priced at approximately Rs 200 crores, is a testament to his success and refined taste.
Ratan Tata’s life journey serves as an inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the Tata Group, which currently employs over 9,35,000 people.