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James Cargill II

James Cargill II

J. II
-0.75% | - $-38.62M
$5.1 B ₹ 46,401 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #824 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on James Cargill II

Gender

Male

Age

77Y

Country

United States

Born On

January, 1949

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Unknown

Children

Unknown

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

No

Entrepreneur Type

Inherited

Primary Organization

Unknown

Titles

Unknown

Sources of Wealth

Cargill

Industry

Food & Beverage, Agriculture, Commodities

About James Cargill II


J ames Cargill II is an American billionaire and an heir to the Cargill fortune, one of the largest and most significant family fortunes in the world. He is the great-grandson of William W. Cargill, who founded the agribusiness giant in 1865. Cargill is the largest private company in the United States, with vast operations in commodity trading, food processing, and agricultural services.

The Cargill and MacMillan families have controlled the company for over 150 years. James, along with his sister and his cousins, inherited a massive stake in the company. He is not involved in the day-to-day management of the company, which is run by professional, non-family executives. His immense wealth is derived from his inherited stake in the enduring and sprawling family enterprise. He maintains a very low public profile.

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Quick Reads


  • An heir to the Cargill agribusiness fortune.
  • Great-grandson of the company's founder, William W. Cargill.
  • Cargill is America's largest private company.
  • He and his family members are the controlling shareholders.
  • He is not involved in managing the company and is very private.

Early Life and Background


James Cargill II is an American businessman and billionaire heir. His immense wealth stems from his inherited stake in Cargill, Incorporated, the largest privately owned company in the U.S. and a global behemoth in food, agriculture, and commodities. He is the grandson of James Cargill Sr. and a key member of the Cargill-MacMillan family, which owns roughly 90 percent of the company.

His wealth is tied to the successful, long-term, and stable profitability of the global agri-commodities supply chain. His career is defined by generational stewardship and fiduciary oversight of this vast private enterprise.

  • Cargill, Incorporated (Heir & Major Shareholder): The foundational source of his wealth, the largest privately owned company in the U.S., dominating food, agriculture, and commodities (sales estimated at $154 billion in 2025).
  • Family Governance: He is one of many billionaires in the Cargill-MacMillan family who collectively control the company.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term asset preservation and conservative financial management in the essential food and commodity sector.
  • Philanthropy: He is a major philanthropist, supporting education, healthcare, and the arts.

Career Journey of James Cargill II


James Cargill II's career is characterized by his role as a major family shareholder and former executive in Cargill, Inc. (having held various leadership positions, including Chairman of the Board and CEO). His role ensures the company maintains its long-term strategic vision in global commodity sourcing, processing, and distribution.

His structural contribution is primarily philanthropic: he is a major philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, continuing the legacy of his father and family. His wealth is secured by the company's continuous profitability in providing essential food, feed, and industrial commodities worldwide.

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James Cargill II's Timeline


1960s (approx.):

Joins Cargill, Inc. and holds various leadership positions (Corporate Entry).

2000s (approx.):

Assumes roles such as Chairman of the Board and CEO (Executive Ascent).

2019:

His father, James Cargill Sr., passes away (Inheritance).

Ongoing:

Continues as a major family shareholder and philanthropist (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


James Cargill II's wealth is concentrated in his inherited equity stake in the private industrial giant, Cargill, Incorporated.

  • Cargill, Incorporated (Heir & Major Shareholder): The foundational source of his wealth, the largest privately owned company in the U.S., dominating food, agriculture, and commodities (sales estimated at $154 billion in 2025).
  • Family Governance: He is one of many billionaires in the Cargill-MacMillan family who collectively control the company.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term asset preservation and conservative financial management in the essential food and commodity sector.
  • Philanthropy: He is a major philanthropist, supporting education, healthcare, and the arts.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


James Cargill II's social impact is structural, stemming from Cargill's role as a foundational provider of global food and agricultural commodities, impacting food security and prices worldwide. The company is a massive employer and a source of national industrial strength.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career is a testament to the efficient generational stewardship of a colossal private industrial fortune.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


James Cargill II maintains the extremely discreet, low-profile style characteristic of the Cargill-MacMillan family. His attire is typically conservative and unostentatious, reflecting the family's avoidance of the public spotlight.

Residing in Wayzata, Minnesota, his luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to the stewardship of his family's industrial legacy and his profound commitment to philanthropy.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is an heir to Cargill, Inc., the largest privately owned company in the U.S..
  • His family owns roughly 90 percent of the company ($154 billion in sales).
  • He is a major philanthropic donor to Republican Party causes (according to older records).
  • His father, James Cargill Sr., was CEO for over 40 years.
  • Cargill dominates the global market for food, agriculture, and commodities.
  • He holds a wealth estimated at $5.3 billion (2025 estimate).
  • His wealth is tied to the successful generational private ownership of essential global commodities.

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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