Ratan Tata: From the floors of Tata Steel to the CEO – facts about the business icon who redefined the Tata brand

Ratan Tata's death: The former chairman of 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 been awarded two of India's highest civilian honors – the Padma Vibhushan (2008) and the Padma Bhushan (2000) for his contributions to nation-building. mint brings you the most important facts about the experienced industrialist:

Ratan Tata: Important Facts You Should 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 worked briefly with Jones and Emmons in Los Angeles before returning to India in late 1962.

Ratan Tata has also served on the Board of Trustees 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 support to students from India.

The Tata chairman had started his career with the Tata Group in 1961 and his first job was to manage operations at Tata Steel's workshops.

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

Ratan Tata's personal life

Ratan Tata is unmarried, although the business tycoon was on the verge of getting married four times. Ratan Tata once admitted that he fell in love while working in Los Angeles, but the 1962 Indochina War played spoilsport. The girl's parents were against sending her to India.

Ratan Tata is also known as a dog lover. The Tata chairman not only owned two dogs, Tito and Maximus, but also left stray dogs at Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata group, during the rainy season. The tradition dates back to the time of Jamsetji Tata, who was also followed by his grandson.

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