Indian Business Tycoon Ratan Tata Leaves Fortune to Beloved Dog and Trusted Staff

Indian business magnate Ratan Tata, who recently passed away at the age of 86, made headlines with his unique will. Most of his personal wealth, valued at approximately £91 million (around 840 million RMB), is bequeathed to his cherished German Shepherd, Tito, and his trusted staff, including his butler and chef. This decision reflects his lifelong affection for animals, breaking traditional Indian customs where family usually inherits the wealth.

Despite having no spouse or children, Tata chose to leave only a small portion of his fortune to his siblings. The will specifies that both Tito and Tata’s staff should receive unlimited care, with sizable financial provisions to ensure their well-being. Such generous allocations for pets and household staff are rare in India.

Tito was a constant companion to Tata, remaining by his side until his final moments. This bequest aligns with Tata’s lifelong passion for animals, as evidenced by his instructions to the Tata Group headquarters to never turn away stray animals.

Ratan Tata was born in 1937 in Mumbai and led the Tata Group, India’s largest conglomerate. Under his leadership, the company expanded globally, acquiring prestigious brands like Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 for $2.3 billion. The Tata Group, with over 350,000 employees worldwide, boasts annual revenues exceeding $100 billion and encompasses nearly 100 companies, including India’s largest car manufacturer and private steel firm.

Tata’s fondness for dogs previously made headlines in 2018 when he skipped a lifetime achievement award ceremony at Buckingham Palace due to one of his dogs falling ill.