Billionaire Profile
William MacMillan
Global Rank
#2489

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

William MacMillan

CEO, Cargill
US
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.5B
As of December 2025
Age
71
Source
Cargill
Industry
food-beverage
Citizenship
US

Biography

William MacMillan, a descendant of the Cargill-MacMillan family, is one of the billionaire heirs to Cargill, the world's largest privately held food and agriculture corporation. His great-great-grandfather, W.W. Cargill, founded the business in 1865. With a net worth of $1.5 billion as of 2024, MacMillan's wealth primarily stems from his stake in Cargill. His career has included serving as a director on the Cargill board. Cargill's success is rooted in its food, commodities, and financial services divisions, making it a major player in the global market. William MacMillan, like other family members, maintains a relatively low public profile, focusing on the long-term growth and stability of the family-owned enterprise.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

William MacMillan was born into the Cargill-MacMillan family, a lineage deeply connected to the history of Cargill, the largest private company in the United States. His great-great-grandfather, W.W. Cargill, established the company in 1865 as a grain storage business in Iowa. The family's involvement has been sustained through generations, building a significant presence in the food and agriculture industries.

Rise to Success

The MacMillan family, including William, has played a crucial role in Cargill's evolution. The company has expanded from its roots to become a global leader, involved in food, agriculture, financial, and industrial sectors. William MacMillan, as one of the heirs, has benefited from the company's consistent growth and financial stability.

Key Business Strategies

Cargill's success is driven by its diverse business model, including grain and oilseed processing, commodities trading, meatpacking, and financial services. The company's focus on innovation and adapting to global market demands has kept it at the forefront of the industry. The family's approach has been to reinvest a significant portion of the net profits back into the company, supporting long-term growth rather than focusing on short-term gains.

Philanthropy

While not explicitly detailed in the search results, the Cargill and MacMillan families have a history of philanthropic endeavors. The family's commitment to social responsibility is evident in their various initiatives, though the exact details of William MacMillan's direct involvement are not available in the provided search results. The Cargill family, as a whole, has supported various charities and educational institutions.

Career Milestones

1865

Cargill Founded

W.W. Cargill founded Cargill as a grain storage business.

1953

William MacMillan's Career Start

William MacMillan joined Cargill.

Decades

Cargill Board Member

William MacMillan served as a board member for three decades.