History of Ratan Tata in Timeline
Ratan Naval Tata is a renowned Indian industrialist best known for his leadership of the Tata Group. He served as chairman from 1990 to 2012 and again briefly in 2016-2017. His contributions to Indian industry earned him the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, the third and second highest civilian honors in India, respectively.
December 1937: Birth of Ratan Tata
Ratan Naval Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Bombay, British Raj, into a Parsi Zoroastrian family.
1948: Separation of Ratan Tata's Parents and Adoption
At the age of 10, Ratan Tata's life took a turn when his parents separated in 1948. Subsequently, he was raised and adopted by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.
1955: Ratan Tata graduates from Riverdale Country School
Ratan Tata graduated from Riverdale Country School in New York City in 1955.
1959: Ratan Tata earns a Bachelor's degree in Architecture
Ratan Tata obtained his bachelor's degree in architecture from Cornell University in 1959.
1961: Ratan Tata joins Tata Steel
Ratan Tata began his journey with the Tata Group in 1961, working on the shop floor of Tata Steel.
1990: Ratan Tata becomes Chairman of Tata Group
Ratan Tata took on the role of chairman of the Tata Group in 1990.
1991: Ratan Tata succeeds J.R.D. Tata as Chairman
Following the retirement of J.R.D. Tata in 1991, Ratan Tata was appointed as his successor, marking a significant transition in the Tata Group's leadership.
2000: Padma Bhushan Award
In 2000, Ratan Tata was honored with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.
2000: Ratan Tata receives Padma Bhushan
Ratan Tata was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2000.
2006: Maharashtra Bhushan Award
Ratan Tata was bestowed with the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award in 2006 for his significant contributions to public administration in Maharashtra.
2008: Padma Vibhushan Award
Ratan Tata received the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, India's second-highest civilian honor.
2008: Ratan Tata awarded Padma Vibhushan
Ratan Tata received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, in 2008.
2010: Tata Hall Dedicated at Harvard Business School
In recognition of Ratan Tata's significant contributions, the executive center at Harvard Business School was named Tata Hall in 2010. This dedication followed a generous donation from Tata Group companies and Tata charities toward the center's construction.
2011: Ratan Tata on Marriage
Ratan Tata shared in 2011 that he had come close to marriage four times but ultimately decided against it each time.
December 2012: Ratan Tata steps down as Chairman, Leadership Crisis Emerges
Ratan Tata's resignation as chairman in December 2012 sparked a leadership crisis, drawing significant media attention. The board's refusal to appoint his chosen successor added further complexity to the situation.
2012: Ratan Tata resigns from Tata Group
After leading the Tata Group for over two decades, Ratan Tata resigned from his executive position in December 2012 upon reaching the age of 75.
2013: Appointment to Carnegie Endowment Board
In 2013, Ratan Tata was appointed to the board of trustees of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
2013: Cornell University Recognition and Contributions
Ratan Tata's long-standing involvement with Cornell University, particularly his guidance on international initiatives and projects in India, was acknowledged in 2013 when he was named Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year.
2014: Tata Trusts Grant to Centre for Neuroscience
In 2014, under Ratan Tata's leadership, Tata Trusts gave a ₹750 million grant to the Indian Institute of Science's Centre for Neuroscience to support research on Alzheimer's disease, aiming to understand its causes, improve early diagnosis, and develop treatments.
2014: Tata Group Endows Tata Center for Technology and Design at IIT Bombay
The Tata Group made a historic donation to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 2014, leading to the formation of the Tata Center for Technology and Design (TCTD). This initiative aimed to foster innovation and design solutions for under-resourced communities.
February 2015: Advisory Role at Kalari Capital
Ratan Tata took on an advisory role at Kalari Capital, a venture capital firm founded by Vani Kola, in February 2015.
April 2015: Ratan Tata Acquires Stake in Xiaomi
In April 2015, Ratan Tata made headlines for acquiring a stake in the Chinese smartphone startup, Xiaomi, signaling his interest in the burgeoning technology sector.
January 2016: Ratan Tata Invests in Indian Startups
Expanding his investment portfolio, Ratan Tata invested in Teabox, an online premium Indian Tea seller, and CashKaro.com, a discount coupons and cash-back website, in January 2016.
October 2016: Return to Tata Sons as Interim Chairman
Following the removal of Cyrus Mistry, Ratan Tata returned to lead Tata Sons as the interim chairman in October 2016, a position he held for four months.
October 2016: Ratan Tata returns as Interim Chairman of Tata Sons
Following the removal of Cyrus Mistry, Ratan Tata stepped in as the interim chairman of Tata Sons in October 2016.
2016: Tata Trusts Donates $70 Million to UC San Diego
The Tata Trusts made a substantial donation of $70 million to the University of California, San Diego in 2016. This gift enabled the establishment of the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), housed within the newly constructed Tata Hall.
January 2017: Appointment of New Tata Sons Chairman
Natarajan Chandrasekaran was chosen to be the new chairman of Tata Sons in January 2017.
February 2017: Natarajan Chandrasekaran Assumes Tata Sons Chairmanship
Natarajan Chandrasekaran officially became the chairman of Tata Sons in February 2017.
February 2017: Ratan Tata steps down as Interim Chairman
Ratan Tata finished his term as the interim chairman when Natarajan Chandrasekaran was appointed as the new chairman in February 2017.
November 2018: Tata Hall Opens at UC San Diego
November 2018 marked the inauguration of Tata Hall, a state-of-the-art research facility at the University of California, San Diego. The building, named in recognition of the Tata Trusts' generous donation, houses the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society.
2018: Mega Icons Documentary Series
National Geographic's 'Mega Icons,' an Indian documentary series showcasing influential Indian figures, dedicated an episode to Ratan Tata's accomplishments, highlighting his contributions between 2018 and 2020.
December 2019: Cyrus Mistry's Removal Ruled Illegal
In December 2019, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal ruled that Cyrus Mistry's removal as chairman was illegal, ordering his reinstatement. This decision added another layer to the ongoing leadership saga at Tata Sons.
2021: Assam Baibhav Award
In recognition of his dedication to advancing cancer care in Assam, Ratan Tata was granted the 'Assam Baibhav' award in 2021.
October 2024: Ratan Tata Hospitalized
In October 2024, Ratan Tata was hospitalized and in critical condition in Mumbai due to age-related health issues.
October 2024: Death of Ratan Tata
On October 9, 2024, at the age of 86, Ratan Tata passed away at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.
October 2024: Death of Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024.