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Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata

Founder

Birthdate

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Organization

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Investor Type

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Birth & Early Life

  • Ratan Tata was born into a Parsi Zoroastrian family and is the son of Naval Tata and Sooni Tata.
  • His biological grandfather, Hormusji Tata, was a member of the Tata family, and in 1948, he was raised and adopted by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.
  • He attended various schools including Campion School and Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, and Riverdale Country School in New York City.
  • Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1959, and in 2008, he donated $50 million to Cornell University, becoming its largest international donor.
  • Ratan Tata joined Tata in 1961 and worked on the shop floor of Tata Steel.
  • He succeeded J.R.D. Tata as chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, where he served until 2012, and again as interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017.
  • Under his leadership, Tata Group acquired Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, expanding its global presence.
  • He prioritized innovation and streamlined operations within the group, transitioning Tata from a largely India-centric group to a global business.
  • Ratan Tata conceptualized and spearheaded the development of the Tata Nano car, aimed at making cars affordable for the average Indian consumer.
  • He resigned from his executive powers in the Tata Group upon turning 75 in December 2012.
  • Ratan Tata is a prolific investor and has made investments in numerous startups, both personally and through his investment company.
  • He has invested in over 30 startups to date, including Snapdeal, Teabox, CashKaro.com, Ola Cabs, Xiaomi, Nestaway, and Dogspot.
  • Tata also launched Goodfellows, a companionship startup for senior citizens, promoting intergenerational friendships.
  • Ratan Tata is known for his philanthropy and has donated around 60-65% of his income to charity.
  • He has received several honors and awards, including the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and the Padma Bhushan in 2000, both among India's highest civilian honors.

Education

University
Degree
Field
Year
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science
Architecture
1962
Harvard University
Masters

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careers

Position
Years
Joined Tata Sons
1962
Director-in-charge, NELCO
1971
Transferred to Empress Mills
1977
Chairman, Tata Group
1991 - 2012
Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Trade and Industry
1991 - 2012
Advisory Board Member, RAND for the Asia Pacific Policy
1991 - 2012
Active Member, India’s AIDS initiative program
Ongoing
Member, Mitsubishi Corporation International Advisory Board
Ongoing
Member, JP Morgan Chase International Council
Ongoing
Member, Booz Allen Hamilton International Advisory Board
Ongoing
Member, American International Group International Advisory Board
Ongoing
Resigned as Chairman, Tata Group
Dec 2012
Interim Chairman, Tata Group
Oct 2016 - Feb 2017
Transitioned from Interim Chairman to retirement
Feb 2017
Active Investor in New Business Ventures
Ongoing
Dedicated Philanthropist contributing significantly to various charities
Ongoing

Personal Details

Unmarried

Events

Awards

  • Padma Vibhushan
    • 2008
  • Padma Bhushan
    • 2000
  • CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in Business
    • 2006


  • 2001:
    • Honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Ohio State University
    • Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay from the Government of Uruguay
    • Honorary Doctor of Technology from Asian Institute of Technology
  • 2004:
    • International Distinguished Achievement Award from B'nai B'rith International
    • Honorary Doctor of Science from University of Warwick
  • 2005:
    • Honorary Doctor of Science from Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    • Responsible Capitalism Award from For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)
  • 2006:
    • Honorary Doctor of Science from The London School of Economics and Political Science
    • Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • 2007:
    • Honorary Doctor of Law from University of Cambridge
    • Honorary Doctor of Science from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
    • Honorary Doctor of Science from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
    • Honorary Citizen Award from the Government of Singapore
    • Honorary Fellowship from The Institution of Engineering and Technology
    • Inspired Leadership Award from The Performance Theatre
  • 2009:
    • Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II
    • Life Time Contribution Award in Engineering for 2008 from Indian National Academy of Engineering
    • Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from the Government of Italy
  • 2010:
    • Honorary Doctor of Law from University of Cambridge
    • Hadrian Award from World Monuments Fund
    • Oslo Business for Peace award from Business for Peace Foundation
    • Legend in Leadership Award from Yale University
    • Honorary Doctor of Laws from Pepperdine University
    • Business for Peace Award from Business for Peace Foundation
    • Business Leader of the Year from The Asian Awards
  • 2012:
    • Honorary Fellow from The Royal Academy of Engineering
    • Doctor of Business honoris causa from University of New South Wales
    • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan
    • Lifetime Achievement Award from Rockefeller Foundation
  • 2013:
    • Foreign Associate from National Academy of Engineering
    • Transformational Leader of the Decade from Indian Affairs India Leadership Conclave 2013
    • Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Lifetime Achievement from Ernst & Young
    • Honorary Doctor of Business Practice from Carnegie Mellon University
  • 2014:
    • Honorary Doctor of Business from Singapore Management University
    • Sayaji Ratna Award from Baroda Management Association
    • Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) by Queen Elizabeth II
    • Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University, Canada
  • 2015:
    • Honorary Doctor of Automotive Engineering from Clemson University
    • Sayaji Ratna Award from Baroda Management Association, Honoris Causa, HEC Paris
  • 2016:
    • Commander of the Legion of Honour from the Government of France
  • 2018:
    • Honorary Doctorate from Swansea University
  • 2022:
    • Honorary Doctorate of Literature from HSNC University
  • 2023:
    • Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by King Charles III
    • Maharashtra Udyog Ratna from the Government of Maharashtra