Millionaire Shocks Family: Leaves Bulk of Inheritance to Chef, Butler, and Dog!

(Patria) - Indian industrialist Ratan Tata shocked many with his will, in which he left a large part of his fortune to his dog, with the wish that his beloved pet would have unlimited care after his death.

The millionaire Tata, credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally recognized conglomerate, passed away in a Mumbai hospital earlier this month at the age of 86.

As is customary in India, the businessman, who never married or had children, was expected to leave his estate, valued at around £91 million, to his siblings. But, the former chairman of the Tata Group bypassed his brother Jimmy Tata and half-sisters Shireen and Deen Jejeebhoy in favor of his beloved German Shepherd, Tito.

According to the Daily Mail, Tata stated that his dog, his butler and chief assistant, Konar Subiya, as well as his chef, Rajan Shaw, should receive a large portion of his wealth. His siblings will inherit only a part of his assets. It is rare in India for pets and servants to receive such a generous amount, with wealth typically being kept within the family.

Butler and Chef Provided For in Will

In his will, Tata specified that provisions should be made for the "unlimited care" of his beloved pet, who was with him until his death. This aligns with the great affection the late businessman showed towards animals. For instance, at the Tata Group headquarters, instructions were given never to turn away a stray.

According to Suhel Seth, a close friend of Tata's, the amount left to the former butler and chef, both in their fifties and now caring for Tito, is extremely generous.

“He has made very, very generous provisions in the will for them. They will never have to work again and will be very well looked after.”

He added that the instructions were not a surprise to those who knew Tata well, saying: “This will is not a statement of wealth, but a gesture of gratitude for the joy and care provided to him by his pets and closest assistants”.

Many prominent officials in India paid tribute. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tata a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an exceptional human being”.

Born in 1937 in Bombay, now Mumbai, Tata initially planned to become an architect and was working in the United States when his grandmother, who raised him, asked him to return home and join the growing family business. He started in 1962 at TISCO, now known as Tata, staying in a trainee hostel and working in a plant near blast furnaces. In 1991, he took over the family empire at a time of radical free-market reforms that India launched that year.

During his 21 years at its helm, the conglomerate expanded its global presence to include British luxury brands like Jaguar and Land Rover. The tycoon retired as chairman in 2012, before briefly taking over as interim chairman in October 2016, after his successor Cyrus Mistry was removed.

The Tata Group is now an umbrella of nearly 100 companies, including the country's largest car manufacturer, its largest private steel producer, and a leading outsourcing company. It employs over 350,000 people worldwide. In June 2008, Tata bought Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion, reports Dnevno.hr.