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331
In the world today
Juan Roig

Juan Roig

J. Roig
-0.69% | - $-69.59M
$10.07 B ₹ 91,603 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #331 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes
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More on Juan Roig

Gender

Male

Age

76Y

Country

Spain

Born On

October, 1949

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Married

Children

4

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

No

Entrepreneur Type

Family Wealth (Massively Expanded)

Primary Organization

Mercadona

Titles

Founder, Chairman & CEO

Sources of Wealth

Mercadona

Industry

Retail, Food & Beverage

About Juan Roig

J uan Roig is a self-made Spanish billionaire who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Mercadona, Spain's largest and most successful supermarket chain. He and his wife, Hortensia Herrero, are the majority owners of the privately held retail giant. He inherited his parents' small butcher shops and has since built them into a dominant force in the Spanish grocery market.

Mercadona's success is built on a simple but powerful strategy of always low prices, operational efficiency, a strong focus on private-label brands, and a deep, almost cult-like corporate culture that values its employees. He has built a massive and highly profitable retail empire with thousands of stores across Spain and, more recently, has expanded into Portugal. He is a highly respected and influential figure in Spanish business and is also a major philanthropist, particularly in his home city of Valencia, where he has founded a major entrepreneurship center and is the primary sponsor of the local basketball team.

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Quick Reads

  • Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Spanish supermarket giant Mercadona.
  • The largest grocery retailer in Spain.
  • A self-made billionaire, he built the company from his parents' small shops.
  • He and his wife, Hortensia Herrero, are the majority owners.
  • A major philanthropist, he has founded an entrepreneurship incubator in Valencia.

Early Life and Background

Juan Roig Alfonso is a Spanish businessman, the self-made billionaire President and co-owner of Mercadona, one of Spain's largest and most dominant supermarket chains. Born in València, Spain, in 1949, his career is rooted in retail and entrepreneurial innovation.

Roig graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of València, where he met his wife, Hortensia Herrero (the Vice-president and co-owner). In 1977, he and his wife, along with his three siblings, acquired eight butchers' shops from his parents and converted them into convenience stores—the genesis of Mercadona. His philosophy centers on the Total Quality Model (MTQ), focusing relentlessly on customer satisfaction and low prices.

  • Mercadona (President & Majority Owner): The core private asset, one of Spain's largest supermarket chains (operating over 1,600 stores and controlling 28.5 percent of the domestic market).
  • Retail Pioneer: He pioneered the Total Quality Model (MTQ), committing to being the lowest-cost provider while ensuring high quality.
  • Philanthropy: He founded the EDEM Business School (2002) and the Valencia Sports Foundation (FDM), championing entrepreneurship and sports in Spain.
  • Family Governance: He and his wife, Hortensia Herrero, own 80 percent of the company (with Hortensia owning 28 percent).

Career Journey of Juan Roig

Juan Roig's strategic genius was his commitment to high-volume, low-cost retail coupled with an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. In 1981, he took sole control of Mercadona with his wife. He implemented the Total Quality Model (MTQ), which revolutionized internal management and logistics, driving the company to dominance. By 2017, the company had revenues of €23 billion.

His structural contribution is tied to the successful consolidation and professionalization of Spanish food retail. His personal philanthropy is immense: he founded the EDEM Business School and the Valencia Sports Foundation, and he and his wife committed €6 million to the restoration of València's San Nicolás Church. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the essential food retail sector.

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Juan Roig's Timeline

1977:

Acquires eight butchers' shops from his parents with his wife and siblings (Founding).

1981:

Acquires sole control of Mercadona with his wife, Hortensia Herrero (Ownership Consolidation).

1993:

Implements the 'Total Quality Model' (MTQ) (Innovation Milestone).

2002:

Founds the EDEM Business School (Philanthropic Founding).

Ongoing:

Mercadona achieves 28.5 percent market share in the domestic Spanish market (Market Dominance).

Ongoing:

Continues as President and major philanthropist (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments

Juan Roig's wealth is concentrated in his founding and controlling ownership of the private retail giant, Mercadona.

  • Mercadona (President & Majority Owner): The core private asset, one of Spain's largest supermarket chains (operating over 1,600 stores and controlling 28.5 percent of the domestic market).
  • Retail Pioneer: He pioneered the 'Total Quality Model (MTQ)', committing to being the lowest-cost provider while ensuring high quality.
  • Philanthropy: He founded the EDEM Business School (2002) and the Valencia Sports Foundation (FDM), championing entrepreneurship and sports in Spain.
  • Family Governance: He and his wife, Hortensia Herrero, own 80 percent of the company (with Hortensia owning 28 percent).

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Philanthropy and Social Impact

Juan Roig's social impact is massive and structural, stemming from Mercadona's role as a massive national employer (over 74,000 employees) and foundational provider of essential consumer staples. His founding of the EDEM Business School provides a major structural contribution to entrepreneurship and economic education in Spain.

His personal philanthropy supports various cultural (restoration of San Nicolás Church) and sports initiatives. His structural contribution is tied to his belief in innovation and the Total Quality Model as essential for business and social success.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle

Juan Roig maintains the professional, pragmatic style of a retail executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the high-volume consumer retail sector.

Residing in València, Spain, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion euro fortune. His life is dedicated to retail scale, logistical efficiency, and the long-term management of his essential food empire.

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Quotes and Philosophy

“We are passionate about improving the quality of our service and the satisfaction of our customers.”

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • He is the President and co-owner of Mercadona, one of Spain's largest supermarket chains.
  • He and his wife Hortensia Herrero own 80 percent of the company.
  • He acquired eight butchers' shops from his parents and converted them into stores.
  • He pioneered the 'Total Quality Model' (MTQ) in Spanish retail.
  • He founded the EDEM Business School and the Valencia Sports Foundation.
  • He personally funded the restoration of València's San Nicolás Church (€6 million).
  • His wealth is tied to the successful consolidation and efficiency of Spanish mass-market retail.

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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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