Steel dog’s a millionaire: Tata left his pet a fortune
Ratan Tata, who often defied convention, has done so one last time in making extensive provisions in his will for his German shepherd, cook and butler.
Once hailed by the future King Charles as “a man” for declining an invitation to Buckingham Palace after one of his dogs fell ill, the businessman Ratan Tata often defied convention.
After his death on October 9 aged 86, he broke with Indian tradition one final time, leaving a chunk of his $180 million wealth to his Alsatian, Tito.
Tata was the former chairman of the Tata Group, an immense conglomerate that operates in more than 100 countries. The Anglophile was best known for buying up prestige brands of India’s former colonial master. Throughout the 2000s, his efforts at “reverse colonisation” brought him control of Tetley Tea, Corus Steel and Jaguar Land Rover.
His siblings might have expected to inherit his estate. Instead, Jimmy Tata, his brother, and Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, his half sisters, will receive more modest parts. As well as money for Tito’s care, Tata’s cook, Rajan Shaw, and butler and general assistant, Konar Subbiah, were the major recipients.
Such a will is highly unusual in India, where fabled fortunes are hoarded for the next generation. Indeed, the idea of preserving wealth is so entrenched that some couples who do not have children informally “adopt” a niece or nephew.
Suhel Seth, a close friend of Tata, knew the amount left to Shaw and Subbiah, both in their fifties, but refused to reveal it. “I can say, though, that he has made very, very generous provisions for them. They will never have to work again,” he said.
Seth said Tata had always treated the servants as equals. He did not insist on them wearing uniforms, letting them work at his opulent sea-facing home in Mumbai in shorts and T-shirts. They were part of any birthday celebration, any meals out or party. As for Tito, Tata specified provision for “unlimited care”. Seth said the will’s provisions were no surprise to those in Tata’s inner circle. “This will is not a statement of wealth, but a gesture of gratitude for the joy and care” he received from his pets and two aides.
Subbiah and Shaw, who will now look after Tito, “are beyond devastated at his passing”, Seth added.
When the Prince of Wales learnt in 2018 why Tata had stood him up, he said: “That’s a man. That’s the man Ratan is. That’s why the house of Tata is what it is.”
The Times
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