Maya, Neville, and Leah Tata: A Look At 3 Possible Successors of Ratan Tata

Iconic businessman Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday night at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, leaving a profound legacy of corporate philanthropy and innovation. The former chairman of Tata Sons, who led the conglomerate from 1991 to 2012, was not only an influential industrialist but also a passionate investor, philanthropist, and animal lover known for his modest lifestyle.

Tata’s impact on the Tata Group is monumental; he oversaw the launch of Tata Teleservices in 1996 and the public listing of Tata Consultancy Services ( TCS ) in 2004. Though he stepped down as chairman in 2012, he continued to serve as chairman emeritus for Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, and Tata Chemicals, and he was actively involved with the Tata Trusts, one of India's largest philanthropic organizations.

With his passing, the responsibility of continuing his legacy now potentially rests with his nephew and nieces—Leah, Maya, and Neville Tata, the children of his half-brother Noel Tata.

Leah Tata, the eldest of the trio, holds a master’s degree in Marketing from IE Business School in Madrid. She began her career in 2006 as an assistant manager at Taj Hotels and has since ascended to the role of Vice President at The Indian Hotels Company Limited, overseeing a range of iconic properties across the nation.

Maya Tata, like her sister, is well-educated, having completed her studies at Bayes Business School and Warwick University. She played a significant role in launching the Tata Neu app and has also worked at Tata Digital, furthering the group’s digital initiatives.

Neville Tata started his career with Trent, the retail arm of the conglomerate. Married to Manasi Kirloskar, he currently leads the Tata Group company Star Bazaar, focusing on expanding the group’s retail footprint.

Ratan Tata’s leadership transformed the Tata Group into a global powerhouse, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and ethical business practices. His contributions were recognized with the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2009 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.