Who Is N Chandrasekaran? The Farmhand-Turned-Tata CEO Who Now Owns USD 11.47M Home Near Antilia

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons, has had a remarkable journey that began with humble beginnings. He was one of the most trusted associates of the late philanthropist Ratan Tata, the legendary leader of the Tata Group. After Tata stepped down from his leadership role, Chandrasekaran succeeded him. Chandrasekaran’s journey started with a humble farming family in Tamil Nadu and led to the pinnacle of India’s largest conglomerate. 

With his relentless hard work and innovative mindset, Natarajan has reached the top of the corporate ladder. Today, he leads a business empire worth 303.7 billion US Dollars (Rs 30.37 lakh crore) and resides in a duplex worth 11.47 million US Dollars (Rs 98 crore) near Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia.

Who is N Chandrasekaran?

N Chandrasekaran was born in 1963 in Mohanur, a small village in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district. He was raised in a farming family and completed his studies at a government school before pursuing higher education. With his excellent academic record, Chandrasekaran got into the Coimbatore Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences. Later, he completed a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) from the Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli.

N Chandrasekaran’s journey from TCS intern to CEO

Natarajan’s journey with the Tata Group began when he joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 1987 as an intern. His dedication and leadership acumen quickly propelled him up the corporate ladder. By 2007, he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TCS.

In 2009, N Chandrasekaran, who was only 46 years old, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TCS, making him one of the youngest CEOs in the history of the Tata Group. In 2016, he joined the Board of Directors at Tata Sons, and by 2017, he became the successor of Ratan Tata, taking over the role of the Chairman of Tata Sons. He was also the first non-Tata family member to hold the position.

N Chandrasekaran’s special bond with Ratan Tata

Throughout his career, Chandrasekaran worked closely with Ratan Tata, who saw him as a trusted confidant and an efficient leader. When Ratan Tata retired, he personally chose Chandrasekaran to take over the group’s leadership. Their bond was not just professional but deeply personal.

Recently, at the ET Awards for Corporate Excellence, Chandrasekaran shared a touching memory of Tata, describing how grounded and selfless the late philanthropist was. He recalled how, despite being one of the biggest industrialists, Tata never failed to personally welcome Chandrasekaran and see him off, even when he was extremely sick. Chandrasekaran shared:

“I told him, 'Sir, you don’t have to do this.' But he would insist. This was his courtesy. For him, doing the right thing was important. Every time he made a decision, he would put himself in the shoes of others to ensure he was being fair.”

How N Chandrasekaran transformed the Tata Group

Needless to say, Chandrasekaran never let Ratan Tata lose his faith in him. Staying true to his trust, he has steered Tata Group’s trajectory to higher margins. Under his leadership, the company has seen unprecedented growth, starting with the Air India Takeover in 2022. The company, which was originally founded by JRD Tata in 1932, was reacquired by the Tata Group with Chandrasekaran’s leadership.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran has been at the forefront of Tata Sons' digital and sustainability initiatives, driving advancements in AI, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Under his leadership, the company achieved record-breaking revenue in FY 2024, earning USD 55.6 billion (Rs 76 lakh crore) with a profit of USD 5.7 billion (Rs 49,000 crore), a remarkable 47% increase from the previous year.

Chandrasekaran’s life today

Today, N Chandrasekaran is one of the highest-paid executives in India. He earns over 16.27 million USD (Rs 135 crore) annually, which gives him an estimated net worth of USD 100 million (Rs 855 crore). He owns a luxury duplex worth Rs 98 crore in Mumbai, located near Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia.

N Chandrasekaran’s journey is nothing short of a rags-to-riches tale. From toiling in the fields as a young boy to steering one of the world’s most prestigious business empires, his story is the kind that inspires millions! What do you think of his journey?

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