In a tribute to the late Indian industrialist, revered worldwide for his modesty, we celebrate the little known luxurious side of his life
One of the most iconic Indian industrialists – Ratan Naval Tata – the former owner and chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons, passed away on October 9, 2024 at the age of 86. As a titan of Indian industries, Ratan Tata elevated the legacy of Tata Group – the company bestowed upon him by an illustrious lineage of the Tata family. It was founded by Jamshedji Tata, who established it in 1868.
Renowned worldwide, Ratan Tata stood out from the league of conventional billionaires with his humility and philanthropy. A most beloved businessman and one of the largest philanthropists in the world, he donated 60 – 65% of his income annually to charity.
He was always known to keep a low-profile and was modest about his assets. We take a look at the passions that made him human – his love for luxury cars – and celebrate the man behind the moolah.
Ferrari California
The business baron enabled millions of Indians to fulfill their ambition of owning a car with the most affordable car – Tata Nano. He was a car fanatic and had an eye for luxury cars. He prized his Ferrari California, which was also the first unit in India.
Dassault Falcon Private Jet
Owning a French Dassault Falcon Private Jet, Ratan Tata was a licensed pilot who was known to occasionally take his bird for a flight on his own. He has also flown fighter jets at the Indian Defence Ministry’s Aero Show.
Maserati Quattroporte
A down-to-earth business magnate, Ratan Tata’s luxurious side is revealed in his love for Italian cars. The Maserati Quattrporte among his auto collection is a testament to his appreciation of combining sophistication with high performance.
Land Rover Freelander
Ratan Tata spearheaded a pivotal moment in Indian auto history when Tata Motors acquired Jaguar Cars and Land Rover in 2008. He owned the Land Rover Freelander even before the acquisition, reflecting his knack for identifying quality luxury.
Jaguar XFR
A business mogul with a gentle demeanor, Ratan Tata’s animated self came out when he drove his Jaguar XFR sports saloon. A pure sports car, it is symbolic of his ideals of marrying power with design.
