Austen Stowell Cargill II is an American billionaire heir and a central member of the secretive Cargill family, whose collective fortune is rooted in Cargill Inc., the largest privately held agribusiness company in the world. Born in 1951, he is the great-grandson of the founder, William Wallace Cargill.

Austen’s early life was marked by an independent scientific passion that diverted from the family's core business. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Minnesota and, most notably, secured a Doctorate (Ph.D.) from Oregon State University. His field of specialization was aquatic biology and marine biology, leading him to co-author scientific publications on aquatic insects. This deep academic background in science, highly unusual for a major corporate heir, provided him with a unique environmental perspective on the immense agribusiness empire he inherited.

Austen Cargill II’s career within the family business began when he joined Cargill as a marine biologist. This position was a unique intersection of his academic passion and the company's need for expertise in environmental and logistical planning (maritime transport, agricultural inputs). He served as a board member of Cargill from 1995 to 2001, holding the position of Vice President for a period.

His role within the family is primarily that of a steward and inheritor, ensuring the continuous private control of the massive, diversified agribusiness giant. His financial ventures outside of Cargill have been mixed, including a board role at the biotech firm GalaGen, which focused on dietary supplements but later went bankrupt, demonstrating the relative security of the stable, ancestral fortune. After stepping away from executive roles, he embraced his passion for nature and ranching, becoming the owner of massive, historically significant property in the American West.

Austen Cargill II’s philanthropy and social impact are strongly tied to environmental conservation, science, and the welfare of the Western U.S. His academic background as a marine biologist is often leveraged to support research in aquatic biology and ecological preservation.

The Cargill Foundation, which manages the family’s broader philanthropic commitments, focuses on food security, education, and health in the communities where the company operates. His personal ownership of the massive North Ranch and his hobby of ruffed grouse hunting underscore a commitment to maintaining large tracts of land and Western traditions, contributing to the preservation of natural habitats and the aesthetics of the American West.

Austen Cargill II maintains a uniquely academic and rugged style, reflecting his dual life as a Ph.D. scientist and a Western rancher. His attire is likely high-quality, pragmatic outdoor wear, classic Western apparel, or understated business casual for formal meetings. His aesthetic is non-ostentatious, reflecting the traditional secrecy and low-profile nature of the Cargill dynasty.

Residing in Livingston, Montana, his lifestyle is defined by the luxury of immense, secluded natural space. His hobbies, including ruffed grouse hunting, emphasize a deep engagement with the natural world and Western traditions. His ultimate luxury is the autonomy to pursue his specialized scientific interests (marine biology) while commanding vast, inherited wealth derived from the world’s most powerful agribusiness.