Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Group, has died at age 86, according to a statement from the company.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group, confirmed Tata’s death and called him a “friend, mentor and guide” in a statement.
Earlier this week, Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai, according to the AP. In a Monday statement, Tata said he was undergoing medical checkups at the hospital due to his age, adding “there is no cause for concern.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Tata in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses,” Modi wrote, calling Tata “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.”
Ratan Tata, then-Chairman of the Tata Group, is pictured on February 28, 2010 in Geneva. Tata has passed away at age 86.
Photo credit should read SEBASTIAN DERUNGS/AFP via Getty Images
Modi’s post added, “At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better.”
Tata Group, which was founded by Ratan Tata’s great grandfather more than a hundred years ago, is a vast conglomerate comprising nearly 100 companies, including both the largest automaker in India, as well as the country’s largest private steel manufacturer. In 2008, Tata acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion.
Collectively, the companies in Tata Group employ over 350,000 people globally.
Tata Group also launched a commercial aviation airline in 1932, which later became Air India. The government eventually took the airline over, but Tata Group bought Air India back in 2021.
Ratan Tata began working for the family company in 1962 and was appointed chairman in 1991. He ran the group until his retirement in 2012, though he briefly returned to serve as interim chairman in 2016 before retiring again the following year.
In 2000, Tata received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s most distinguished civilian awards.
Leaders of the business world remembered Tata in posts shared on social media Wednesday.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on X that Tata “leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better.”
“With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example,” Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, wrote on X.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 10/09/24 3:31 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
Update 10/09/24 4:36 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
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