Indian industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, who died on Oct 9 in Mumbai, had made arrangements in his will to ensure lifetime care for his German Shepherd, Tito, according to The Times of India.
The move is unprecedented in India, though leaving provisions for pets is common in Western countries.
Mr Tata, whose wealth is valued at over Rs10,000 crore ($157 million), also designated assets to his foundation, his brother Jimmy Tata, half-sisters Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, household staff and others close to him.
Tito, whom Mr Tata adopted six years ago after the death of his previous dog with the same name, will be looked after by Mr Tata’s longtime cook Rajan Shaw. The will also provides for Mr Tata’s butler Subbiah, who served him for three decades. Mr Tata was known to buy designer clothes for them during his travels.
The will includes a legacy plan for Mr Tata’s shares in group companies, which are to be transferred to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF), a charitable trust in line with the Tata Group’s tradition. Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran is expected to head the RTEF.
Mr Tata’s interests in other Tata Group companies, such as Tata Motors, will transfer to RTEF. This foundation, founded in 2022, has supported non-profit ventures and made notable investments, including a purchase of Tata Technologies shares before its 2023 IPO and a stake in Tata Digital, which runs the super-app Tata Neu.
His start-up investments through RNT Associates and RNT Advisers will be sold, and the proceeds directed to RTEF.
Mr Tata’s assistant Shantanu Naidu also features in the will, as Mr Tata relinquished his stake in Mr Naidu’s companionship company, Goodfellows, and waived a loan for Mr Naidu’s overseas studies.
The Halekai house in Mumbai’s Colaba, where Mr Tata resided, is owned by Ewart Investments, a Tata Sons subsidiary, and its future is pending a decision by Ewart. Mr Tata also designed the Halekai residence and a bungalow in Alibaug, the future of which remains undecided.
Mr Tata’s collection of about 30 luxury cars, housed at his Colaba residence and Taj Wellington Mews apartments, may either be acquired by the Tata Group for its museum in Pune or auctioned.
His numerous awards will be donated to the Tata Central Archives to preserve his legacy.
Despite leading the US$100 billion Tata Group, Mr Tata never appeared on rich lists due to his limited personal stake in group companies. His will, expected to go through probate in the Bombay High Court, is likely to take several months to finalise.
Mr Tata, born on December 28, 1937, died at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, leaving behind an enduring legacy of leadership, ethical business practices and philanthropy.
Serving as Tata Group’s chairman from 1991 to 2012, and briefly as interim chairman in 2016, he was instrumental in the company’s growth from US$5.7 billion in 1991 to close to US$100 billion by 2012.
