Billionaire Profile
J
Global Rank
#789

Image: Unknown Author | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

James Cargill II

CEO, Cargill
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$5.407B
Estimated based on Cargill stock value as of April 21, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
76
Source
Cargill
Industry
food-beverage
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

James Cargill II is an American billionaire heir and philanthropist, and is the great-grandson of William Wallace Cargill, the founder of Cargill, a multinational food corporation. His primary source of wealth stems from his ownership stake in Cargill. As of March 25, 2026, his net worth is estimated at $5.4 billion. He has had a long career associated with Cargill and is known for his philanthropic efforts. He is also a board member of several organizations including the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Cargill's wealth reflects the enduring success of Cargill, a privately held enterprise that has expanded globally while remaining under family stewardship across multiple generations.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/21/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

James Ray Cargill II was born in 1949 in Birchwood, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Cargill-MacMillan family, descendants of William Wallace Cargill, who founded Cargill in 1865. His upbringing in rural Wisconsin instilled in him a strong connection to the agricultural roots of his family's wealth.

Rise to Success

James Cargill II's wealth is primarily derived from his ownership stake in Cargill, a privately held multinational corporation. Cargill has grown to become the largest private company in the United States. He is one of approximately fourteen family members who hold billionaire status through their stakes in the company.

Key Business Strategies

Cargill's success is rooted in its long-term strategic focus, enabled by its private ownership. The Cargill and MacMillan families, who own the majority of the company, reinvest a significant portion of the earnings back into the business. This strategy allows for sustained investments, unaffected by public market pressures.

Philanthropy

James Cargill II is known for his philanthropic efforts, with contributions to the arts and education. He has supported organizations such as the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Arts

Walker Art Center Donation

$XB

Donations to the Walker Art Center.

Arts

Minneapolis Institute of Art Donation

$XB

Donations to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.