Death of Ratan Tata: The ex-chairman of the Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group, died on Wednesday evening at the age of 86. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on October 8, where he spent his last moments.

Known for his visionary leadership and philanthropy, Ratan Tata has received two of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2000), for his contributions to nation building. Mint brings you the most important facts about the experienced industrialist:

Ratan Tata: Important facts to know

Ratan Tata, the grandson of Jamsetji Tata, was only ten years old when his parents separated. He was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.

Ratan Tata received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Cornell University in 1962 and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1975. Tata briefly worked with Jones and Emmons in Los Angeles before returning to India in late 1962.

Ratan Tata also served on the board of directors of Cornell University and the University of Southern California. Under his leadership, the Tata Group established a $28 million Tata Scholarship Fund at Cornell University to provide financial assistance to students from India.

The Tata chairman had started his career with Tata Group in 1961 and his first job was heading the shop floor operations of Tata Steel.

Ratan Tata was a certified pilot and in 2007 became the first Indian to fly an F-16 Falcon.

Ratan Tata’s personal life

Ratan Tata is unmarried, although the business magnate almost got married four times. Ratan Tata once admitted that he fell in love while working in Los Angeles, but the Indo-China War of 1962 played a spoilsport. The girl’s parents were against sending her to India.

Ratan Tata is also known as a dog lover. Besides owning two dogs, Tito and Maximus, the Tata chairman also allowed stray dogs into Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, during the rainy season. The tradition dates back to the time of Jamsetji Tata, who followed his grandson.

The Bombay House headquarters has a kennel for stray dogs, furnished with food, water, toys and a play area for the furry four-legged animals.