Ratan Tata family tree: Look at its members from Jamsetji to Noel Tata

Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, and belonged to one of India’s most well-known business families.

Ratan Tata, the former chairman and chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, died on October 9 at the age of 86. He died at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and philanthropy that transformed the Tata Group and made a significant impact on India. As one of the most respected industrialists, Ratan Tata was instrumental in steering the Tata Group towards becoming a global business powerhouse.

Born on December 28, 1937, Ratan Tata belonged to one of India’s most well-known business families. His family lineage dates back to the 19th century, starting with Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of the Tata family, who laid the foundation of the Tata dynasty.

Nusserwanji Tata (1822–1886) was the patriarch of the Tata family. He was married to Jeevanbai Kavasji Tata, and together they had five children: Jamsetji Tata, Ratanbai Tata, Maneckbai Tata, Virbaiji Tata, and Jerbai Tata. Nusserwanji’s son, Jamsetji Tata, went on to establish the Tata Group, which has become one of India’s largest and most influential conglomerates.

Jamsetji Tata (1839–1904), the founder of the Tata Group, is often referred to as the “Father of Indian Industry.” He began his entrepreneurial journey with a textile mill in central India in the 1870s. His vision played a key role in shaping India’s steel and power industries, establishing technical education institutions, and advancing India’s industrial progress.

Jamsetji was married to Hirabai Daboo, and they had three children: Sir Dorabji Tata, Dhunbai Tata, and Sir Ratan Tata.

• • Sir Dorabji Tata (1859–1932) was Jamsetji’s eldest son. He played a significant role in the growth of the Tata Group and was knighted in 1910 for his contributions to India’s industrial development. Dorabji had no children and dedicated much of his life to expanding the family’s business legacy.

• Sir Ratan Tata (1871–1918), Jamsetji’s younger son, was also heavily involved in the family business and philanthropy. He was married to Navajbai Sett, but the couple had no children. After Sir Ratan Tata’s death, Navajbai adopted Naval Tata, who would go on to become a key figure in the family’s legacy.r

Naval H. Tata (1904–1989) was the adopted son of Sir Ratan Tata and Navajbai Sett. Naval Tata married Soonoo Commisariat, and they had two sons, Ratan Tata and Jimmy Tata. Naval and Soonoo divorced when Ratan Tata was just 10 years old. Naval later married Simone Dunoyer, and they had a son named Noel Tata.

Ratan Tata and his immediate family

Ratan Tata grew up with his brother, Jimmy Tata, and their half-brother, Noel Tata. After his parents’ divorce, Ratan and Jimmy were raised by their grandmother, Navajbai Sett, at Tata Palace, the family estate in Mumbai.

• Ratan Tata (1937–2024) dedicated much of his life to the Tata Group, serving as its chairman from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. He played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s reach globally, with major acquisitions like Jaguar Land Rover. He also focused heavily on philanthropy through Tata Trusts, working on various social and charitable projects across India.
• Jimmy Tata, Ratan’s younger brother, largely stayed out of the public eye and did not participate in the family business as actively as Ratan.
• Noel Tata, the half-brother of Ratan and Jimmy, is currently a significant figure in the Tata Group. He is the Chairman of Tata Investment Corporation and Managing Director of Tata International. Many consider Noel Tata a strong contender for future leadership within the Tata Group, especially following Ratan Tata’s passing.

Noel Tata’s family

Noel Tata married Aloo Mistry, who is the daughter of Pallonji Mistry, another well-known industrialist and a key shareholder in Tata Sons. Together, they have three children: Leah Tata, Maya Tata, and Neville Tata.

• Leah Tata, the eldest, holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from IE Business School in Madrid and works with the Tata Group, currently serving as Vice President at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).
• • Maya Tata started her career as an analyst at Tata Capital and has been gradually moving up within the company.
  • Neville Tata began his career with Trent, a Tata-owned retail company that his father, Noel, helped to establish.

  The Tata family’s legacy continues through the efforts of its newer generations, with Noel Tata and his children involved in the family’s business operations. With Ratan Tata’s passing, there is speculation about the Tata Group’s future leadership, though Noel Tata is seen as a likely candidate for greater responsibility.