Ratan Tata’s will revealed: Unlimited care for his dog, share for butler, here’s all you need to know

Industrialist-philanthropist Ratan Tata, who died earlier this month at a Mumbai hospital, left behind a vast estate estimated at over Rs 10,000 crore. In something not seen very often, Tata has made provisions in his will to ensure “unlimited” care for his German Shepherd, Tito, according to a Times of India report. His estate will be distributed among various beneficiaries, including his foundation, brother Jimmy Tata, half-sisters Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, house staff, and others.

Tito, adopted five years ago, will be cared for by Tata’s longtime cook, Rajan Shaw. The will also includes provisions for his butler, Subbiah, with whom he shared a three-decade relationship. He was known to buy designer clothes for Subbiah during his travels abroad.

His executive assistant, Shantanu Naidu, also benefits from the will, with Tata relinquishing his stake in Naidu’s companionship venture, Goodfellows, and waiving his overseas education expenses.

Tata’s assets include a 2,000-square-foot beach bungalow in Alibaug, a two-storey house on Juhu Tara Road in Mumbai, fixed deposits exceeding Rs 350 crore, and a 0.83% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the $165-billion Tata Group. In line with the Tata Group’s tradition of bestowing shares to charitable trusts, his stake in Tata Sons will be transferred to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF). Reportedly, Tata Sons chief N Chandrasekaran is likely to chair RTEF.Also Read: Noel Tata is new Tata Trusts chairman: All about Ratan Tata’s successor who made Trent a ₹1000 crore firm

The Halekai house in Colaba, where Ratan Tata lived, is owned by Ewart Investments, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Sons. The future of this property will be determined by Ewart. The future of the Alibaug bungalow, designed by Tata, remains unclear. The Juhu house, inherited by Tata and his family — brother Jimmy, half-brother Noel Tata and step-mother Simone Tata — has been closed for over two decades, with plans to sell the property.

Tata’s stakes in other Tata Group companies, including Tata Motors, will also be transferred to RTEF, a section 8 company focused on promoting non-profit causes. His startup investments made through RNT Associates and RNT Advisers will be liquidated, with proceeds directed to RTEF.

His extensive car collection, comprising 20-30 models, is currently housed at the Halekai residence and the Taj Wellington Mews service apartments in Colaba. The future of the vehicles is under consideration, with options like acquisition by the Tata Group for display at its Pune museum or auctioning them.

Tata’s awards and recognitions will be donated to the Tata Central Archives, ensuring his legacy is preserved for future generations. Ratan Tata’s will is expected to be probated by the Bombay High Court which might take months.

Also Read: Ratan Tata: Key milestones of the legendary industrialist