Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passes at 86

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away at 86 in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to age-related health issues. He was admitted after a sudden drop in blood pressure and remained in critical condition before his passing on Wednesday. Tata led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012, steering the conglomerate to global prominence with major acquisitions like Tetley in 2000, Corus in 2007, and Jaguar Land Rover in 2008. Under his leadership, the group’s revenue grew from Rs 10,000 crore in 1991 to USD 100 billion by 2012.

A visionary leader, Tata was also a significant philanthropist. Sixty-six percent of Tata Sons’ shares are held by charitable trusts supporting education, healthcare, livelihood generation, and the arts. Institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Tata Memorial Hospital, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) are part of his philanthropic legacy. In recognition of his contributions, Tata received the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, India’s top civilian honors.

Despite his hospitalization, Tata recently assured the public there was no cause for concern. He was known for his humility, requesting people to refrain from speculating about his health. Tributes from business leaders and citizens across India have poured in, celebrating his life and lasting contributions to both business and society. Born in 1937, Tata graduated from Cornell University in Architecture and took over the Tata Group from JRD Tata. Even after retirement in 2012, he continued to lead Tata’s charitable foundations.