Friendships can transcend age, and the bond between the late billionaire Ratan Tata and his assistant Shantanu Naidu is a testament to this. Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86, formed a close relationship with 30-year-old Shantanu Naidu. According to LinkedIn, Shantanu serves as the general manager for Tata Group, a position he began in 2018 while working alongside Tata. Sadly, Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday night at a Mumbai hospital due to age-related health complications and blood pressure issues. He had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 7, 2024.
Who Is Shantanu Naidu?
Shantanu Naidu, the youngest general manager at Tata Group, was born and raised in Pune, Maharashtra. He earned his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014. He began his career as an intern at Tata Elxsi, one of the companies under Ratan Tata’s umbrella. After graduation, Shantanu pursued an MBA at Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, where he held several leadership roles.
Following Ratan Tata’s passing, Naidu shared a heartfelt message on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing, “The hole that this friendship has now left in me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price we pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
How Did Ratan Tata Meet Shantanu Naidu?
Shantanu Naidu, a passionate dog lover, wanted to establish an NGO to help stray animals. However, funding the initiative proved challenging. Following his father’s advice, Shantanu wrote to Ratan Tata for assistance, albeit hesitantly. Two months later, Tata responded and invited Shantanu to meet at his Mumbai office. Tata was moved by Shantanu’s dedication to animal welfare and decided to support his initiative, which later became a Ratan Tata-backed startup.
Over time, their working relationship blossomed into a close friendship, and in 2018, Naidu began working as Tata’s personal assistant.
Shantanu Naidu’s Net Worth and Lifestyle
In addition to his role as general manager at Tata Group, Shantanu Naidu runs a Goodfellows business, which offers companionship and assistance to the elderly. His company is reportedly valued at ₹5 crore.
Shantanu Naidu’s journey from intern to entrepreneur and his enduring bond with Ratan Tata continue to inspire many, marking him as an influential figure in both the business world and philanthropy.
