‘I recoiled in fear every time’: When Ratan Tata said he almost got married four times

On By Yukito

In a rare insight into his personal life, late industrialist Ratan Tata revealed that he almost got married four times during his life. The business mogul, known for his philanthropy and leadership skills, shared this interesting anecdote during a 2021 interview.

In an interview with CNN in 2011, Ratan Tata revealed that he was close to getting married four times, but each time he backed out due to fear or other reasons. “Every situation was different, but looking back, it wasn’t a bad decision,” he said. Reflecting on his past, Dad admitted that marriage could have complicated his life.

Dad also mentioned a special time when he lived in the United States and fell in love. He explained that their relationship ended due to the geopolitical situation at the time.

“When I worked in the US, I took relationships very seriously. The only reason we didn’t get married was because I returned to India and she was going to join me. It was during the Indochina conflict,” he said, referring to the 1962 border war. He explained that the war was seen as a serious problem in the US, which prompted his partner to decide not to move to India. She later got married in the USA.

Dad returned to India in 1962 to care for his sick grandmother, which changed his personal and professional life. While many people were curious about his decision to remain single, Dad has openly discussed his feelings about it in various interviews.

In an interview with “Rendezvous with Simi Garewal”, Tata talked about his feelings about being single and having no children. When Simi asked him, “What motivates you without a wife and family?” Dad thought for a moment and replied, “Sometimes I feel lonely without a spouse or family, and sometimes I wish I had them. But I also enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about other people’s feelings and fears.”

Ratan Tata’s final rites will be held in Mumbai and will be performed with full state honors, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.