Ratan Tata, former chairman and chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, died on October 9 at the age of 86. He died at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership and philanthropy that transformed the Tata Group and made a significant impact on India. One of the most respected industrialists, Ratan Tata was instrumental in steering the Tata Group into a global business powerhouse.

Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, belonged to one of India’s most famous business families. His family lineage dates back to the 19th century, starting with Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of the Tata family, who laid the foundation for the Tata dynasty.

Nusserwanji Tata (1822-1886) was the patriarch of the Tata family. He was married to Jeevanbai Kavasji Tata, and together they had five children: Jamsetji Tata, Ratanbai Tata, Maneckbai Tata, Virbaiji Tata and Jerbai Tata. Nusserwanji’s son, Jamsetji Tata, went on to found the Tata Group, which has become one of India’s largest and most influential conglomerates.

Jamsetji Tata (1839–1904), the founder of the Tata Group, is often referred to as the ‘father of Indian industry’. He started his entrepreneurial journey in the 1870s at a textile factory in central India. His vision played a key role in shaping India’s steel and energy industries, setting up technical educational institutions and promoting India’s industrial progress.

Jamsetji was married to Hirabai Daboo, and they had three children: Sir Dorabji Tata, Dhunbai Tata and Sir Ratan Tata.

• Lord Dorabji Tata (1859-1932) was Jamsetji’s eldest son. He played an important role in the growth of the Tata Group and was knighted in 1910 for his contributions to India’s industrial development. Dorabji had no children and devoted much of his life to expanding the family’s business legacy.

• Lord Ratan Tata (1871-1918)Jamsetji’s youngest son, was also deeply involved in the family business and philanthropy. He was married to Navajbai Sett, but the couple had no children. After Sir Ratan Tata’s death, Navajbai adopted Naval Tata, who would become a key figure in the family’s legacy.

Naval H. Tata (1904–1989) was the adopted son of Sir Ratan Tata and Navajbai Sett. Naval Tata married Soonoo Commisariat, and they had two sons, Ratan Tata and Jimmy Tata. Naval and Soonoo divorced when Ratan Tata was just 10 years old. Naval later married Simone Dunoyer, and they had a son named Noel Tata.

Ratan Tata and his immediate family

Ratan Tata grew up with his brother, Jimmy Tata, and their half-brother, Noel Tata. After his parents’ divorce, Ratan and Jimmy were raised by their grandmother, Navajbai Sett, at Tata Palace, the family estate in Mumbai.

• Ratan Tata (1937–2024) devoted much of his life to the Tata Group, where he was chairman from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. He played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s reach globally, with major acquisitions such as Jaguar Land Rover. He also focused heavily on philanthropy through Tata Trusts and worked on various social and charitable projects across India.

• Jimmy TataRatan’s younger brother, remained largely out of the public eye and did not participate in the family business as actively as Ratan.

• Noel Tatathe half-brother of Ratan and Jimmy, is currently an important figure within the Tata Group. He is Chairman of Tata Investment Corporation and Managing Director of Tata International. Many consider Noel Tata to be a strong candidate for future leadership within the Tata Group, especially after the death of Ratan Tata.

Noel Tata’s family

Noel Tata married Aloo Mistry, the daughter of Pallonji Mistry, another well-known industrialist and a major shareholder of Tata Sons. Together they have three children: Leah Tata, Maya Tata and Neville Tata.

• Leah Tatathe eldest, has a master’s degree in marketing from IE Business School in Madrid and works at the Tata Group, currently serving as vice president at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).

• Maya Tata started her career as an analyst at Tata Capital and gradually grew within the company.

• Neville Tata started his career at Trent, a Tata retail company that his father, Noel, helped set up.

The legacy of the Tata family continues through the efforts of the newer generations, with Noel Tata and his children involved in the family’s business activities. Now that Ratan Tata has passed away, there is speculation about the future leadership of the Tata Group, although Noel Tata is seen as a likely candidate for greater responsibility.