7 Interesting Ratan Tata Facts You Might Not Know

Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata breathed his last on October 9 in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. He had been admitted after a sudden drop in blood pressure and remained in critical condition in the ICU. As the entire nation mourns the loss of Ratan Tata, we shed light on a few interesting facts about him.

Read| Ratan Tata’s Love for Dogs Once Led Him to Skip a Meeting with King Charles

11 Interesting Facts About Ratan Tata

1- Ratan Tata is known for his philanthropic work, having reportedly donated billions of dollars over the years. As a result, despite overseeing the creation of a $300 billion empire, he remains off the billionaire list.

2- Tata was adopted by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated when he was just 10 years old. He received his early education in Mumbai and Shimla before graduating from Riverdale Country School in New York City in 1955. He later attended Cornell University and went on to study at Harvard Business School.

3- Ratan Tata fell in love four times but never married.

4- Ratan Tata turned down a lucrative job offer from IBM to dedicate himself to building the Tata Group, the company he became synonymous with. He began his career managing the blast furnace and limestone dump, and over the years, led several key projects. In 1991, he became CEO of the Tata Group. Even after his retirement, Tata remained deeply involved in the group’s ventures and philanthropic efforts.

5- Tata was a trained pilot and became the first Indian to fly the F-16 Falcon fighter jet in 2007. He once saved the lives of his classmates by safely landing an aircraft after its engine failed mid-air.

6- Ratan Tata and his love for dogs is well known. He frequently used his Instagram platform to find shelter homes for stray dogs and made it a point to ensure that animals entering the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai were treated with kindness and care.

7- Ratan Tata was an avid art collector and car enthusiast. His art collection spanned a range of mediums, from paintings and photographs to sculptures. He particularly admired the works of renowned artists like MF Husain, SH Raza, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Jehangir Sabavala.

In addition to his passion for art, Tata had a deep love for cars and motorcycles. His impressive collection included both vintage and modern vehicles, such as a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, Ferrari California, and a Royal Enfield Bullet.

In his last Instagram post on October 7, Ratan Tata expressed gratitude towards people for “thinking about him”. In a statement, he said, “I am aware of recent rumours circulating regarding my health and want to assure everyone that these claims are unfounded. I am currently undergoing medical check-ups for my age and related medical conditions.”

“There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits and request that the public and media respect refrain from spreading misinformation,” the statement further read.