Natarajan Chandrasekaran the chairman of Tata Sons has had an inspiring journey rising from a modest background to leading India’s biggest business empire. Once a close associate of the iconic Ratan Tata Chandrasekaran took over the reins after Tata stepped down. His story began in a small farming family in Tamil Nadu and led him to the top of one of the world’s most respected conglomerates. Through sheer determination and innovative thinking Chandrasekaran climbed the corporate ladder to become one of the most influential business leaders. Today he oversees a company valued at USD 303.7 billion (Rs. 30.37 lakh crore) and lives in a luxurious duplex worth USD 11.47 million (Rs. 98 crore) located near Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia. Who is N Chandrasekaran? Born in 1963 in the village of Mohanur located in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district N Chandrasekaran grew up in a farming household. He attended a government school before excelling in higher education. His academic brilliance earned him a place at the Coimbatore Institute of Technology where he completed his bachelors degree in Applied Sciences. He later pursued a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) from the Regional Engineering College in Tiruchirappalli (now NIT Trichy). From TCS intern to CEO Natarajan Chandrasekaran’s journey with the Tata Group began in 1987 when he joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as an intern. His hard work strategic thinking and leadership skills helped him rise quickly within the company. By 2007 he had reached the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) playing a crucial role in the company’s growth. In 2009 at just 46 years old Chandrasekaran was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TCS making history as one of the youngest CEOs in the Tata Group. His success in leading TCS to new heights earned him a spot on the Board of Directors at Tata Sons in 2016. A year later in 2017 he was chosen to succeed Ratan Tata as the Chairman of Tata Sons becoming the first person outside the Tata family to hold this prestigious position. Special bond with Ratan Tata Chandrasekaran shared a deep professional and personal connection with Ratan Tata who considered him a trusted advisor and an exceptional leader. When Tata stepped down from his leadership role he personally selected Chandrasekaran as his successor believing he was the right person to take the Tata Group forward. At a recent ET Awards event Chandrasekaran shared his experiences with Ratan Tata highlighting his humility and kindness. He recalled how despite being one of the most influential business leaders Tata always personally welcomed him and saw him off even when he was unwell. 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 Chandrasekaran transformed the Tata Group N Chandrasekaran has not only lived up to Ratan Tata’s trust but has also taken the Tata Group to new heights.  One of the most significant milestones of his tenure was the historic reacquisition of Air India in 2022. The airline originally founded by JRD Tata in 1932 was brought back into the Tata Group’s fold under Chandrasekaran’s guidance. Beyond major acquisitions he has been instrumental in shaping Tata Sons future with a strong focus on digital transformation and sustainability. He has led the company’s advancements in artificial intelligence electric vehicles and renewable energy ensuring Tata remains at the forefront of innovation. In FY 2024 under his leadership Tata Sons recorded an all-time high revenue of USD 55.6 billion (Rs. 76 lakh crore) and a profit of USD 5.7 billion (Rs. 49000 crore)—a remarkable 47 per cent increase from the previous year. N Chandrasekarans life today As one of India’s highest-paid corporate executives Chandrasekaran earns an impressive USD 16.27 million (Rs. 135 crore) annually. His estimated net worth is around USD 100 million (Rs. 855 crore). He resides in a luxurious Rs.98 crore duplex in Mumbai close to Mukesh Ambani’s iconic residence Antilia.