In the early 1960s, a young Ratan Tata began an important chapter of his life in the United States. According to the recently published biography Ratan Tata: A Life, he entered a romantic relationship with Carolyn Emmons, a 19-year-old college student and daughter of the famous architect Frederick Earl Emmons. The two met through Carolyn’s father, who collaborated with Archibald Quincy Jones to create the well-known architectural firm Jones and Emmons.
Having just completed a Bachelor of Science in architecture at Cornell University, Tata sought job opportunities with Jones and Emmons, which led him to Los Angeles and to Carolyn. The biography notes that Carolyn felt an immediate attraction to Tata, calling him her “first true love.” The two families bonded over shared interests, and Carolyn’s mother regarded Tata as a wonderful influence on her daughter. Their relationship appeared full of promise, with both families supportive of their connection.
However, their romance faced an unexpected challenge. In July 1962, Tata returned to India to visit his sick grandmother, and Carolyn planned to follow him. But in October of that year, the India-China war erupted. Although a ceasefire was declared within a month, Carolyn’s family worried about the situation in India and deemed it too risky for her to travel. The war ultimately led to the couple drifting apart. Carolyn later married architect and pilot Owen Jones, noting humorously that he resembled Ratan.
Decades later, Carolyn’s memories of Tata resurfaced in 2007 while watching The Darjeeling Limited, a film about brothers reconnecting in India. After discussing the film with a friend, she was inspired to reach out to Tata online. Carolyn expressed her wish to visit India, and Tata welcomed her. In 2008, she spent five weeks reconnecting with him and exploring India for the first time. This visit marked the start of a renewed friendship, with Carolyn returning to celebrate Tata’s 80th birthday in 2017.
As their friendship flourished, Carolyn visited Tata during her trips to India and he reciprocated by visiting her in the United States. Their bond endured through the years, reflecting the deep connection they had established decades earlier. The biography reveals how Tata cherished meaningful relationships throughout his life, and Carolyn’s love story with him, though interrupted by geopolitical events, evolved into a lasting friendship that remained strong until Tata’s passing on October 9, 2024.
