Ratan Tata, a titan of Indian industry, passed away on October 9 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the nation's business landscape and marked the end of an iconic era.
Over the years, the Tata business has been built and led by a line of succession, and now the next generation, including Leah Tata, Maya Tata, and Neville Tata, has stepped up to actively manage the Tata Group’s operations since 2022. Here's a look at the legacy, from Nusserwanji Tata to Neville Tata.
The Tata Family Legacy
Nusserwanji Tata (1822–1886): The patriarch of the Tata family, Nusserwanji, was a Parsi priest who ventured into business, laying the foundation for future Tata ventures.
Jamshedji Tata (1839–1904): Son of Nusserwanji and the founder of Tata Group, Jamshedji is hailed as the “Father of Indian Industry” for establishing Tata Steel, Taj Mahal Hotel, and Tata Power.
Dorabji Tata (1859–1932): Jamshedji’s eldest son, Dorabji, expanded Tata Steel and helped establish Tata Power.
Ratanji Tata (1871–1918): Jamshedji’s younger son, Ratanji played a key role in expanding the Tata business, particularly in textiles.
JRD Tata (Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata) (1904–1993): The son of Ratanji and Suzanne Brière, JRD was Chairman of Tata Group for over 50 years. He founded Tata Airlines, which later became Air India, and helped grow the Tata Group into a global conglomerate.
/shethepeople/media/media_files/TjEzt3EiWdlYYJVxas06.jpg)
Naval Tata (1904–1989): Adopted son of Ratanji Tata, Naval was a significant figure in the Tata Group. He married Sooni Commissariat, and together they had two sons, Ratan Tata and Jimmy Tata, though the marriage was deeply troubled and eventually ended in divorce. Naval Tata then married Simone Tata and welcomed a son, Noel Tata.
Ratan Tata (1937–2024): He was one of the most iconic leaders in the Tata family. He led the group’s global expansion with acquisitions like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley.
Noel Tata (b. 1957): Half-brother of Ratan Tata, Noel has been instrumental in leading Tata International and Trent, the group's retail division.
With Ratan Tata’s passing, the responsibility of carrying this immense legacy falls on the next generation of Tata leaders. Here’s all we know about the younger generation.
Leah Tata: The eldest daughter of Noel Tata and Aloo Mistry, Leah has a degree in marketing from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. She began her career as an assistant sales manager at Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces and is currently a manager at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), overseeing operations at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
Maya Tata: Leah’s younger sister graduated from the University of Warwick and Bayes Business School in London. She has experience managing portfolios at Tata Opportunities Fund and played a key role in launching the Tata Neu application.
Neville Tata: The youngest of the three, is also a graduate of Bayes Business School. He assists his father, Noel Tata, in managing Trent, the Tata Group’s retail division, which includes brands like Westside, Zudio, and Utsa, as well as joint ventures such as Zara and Star Bazaar.
Ratan Tata’s Relationships And Decision To Not Marry
Ratan Tata, though never married, once shared that throughout his life, he came close to marriage on several occasions, including a notable moment in Los Angeles, but circumstances always seemed to get in the way.
Moreover, one of the relationships in India was with the Bollywood actor Simi Garewal. Their bond was deep and long-standing, and it remains a meaningful chapter in both of their lives. While they considered marriage, the timing and personal circumstances ultimately prevented it. Simi once expressed, “Ratan and I go back a long way. He’s perfect—modest, humorous, and a true gentleman. Money was never his driving force. He’s more relaxed abroad than he is in India.”
In an interview on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Ratan Tata candidly shared his feelings of loneliness stemming from not having a wife or family. "There are many times I feel lonely about not having a wife or family, and sometimes I long for it,” he confessed.
Yet he also appreciated the freedom his single life afforded him, stating, "Sometimes I enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about someone else’s feelings or concerns. Other times, it does get a little lonely."
Following his passing, Simi shared a collage of pictures featuring herself and the late Ratan Tata from his appearance on her show on X (formerly Twitter). She expressed her sorrow by writing, “They say you have gone ..It's too hard to bear your loss..too hard.. Farewell my friend.”
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/iUYfaBbcMozaYLoGnoov.png)
/shethepeople/media/member_avatars/4FGyuvwBciC6LndcgpY2.jpeg )
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/media_files/JaTJwLSBpvh1qAkDgsoq.png)