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William Wrigley JrOwner of Wrigley Jr. Company"
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Biography of William Wrigley Jr.
William Wrigley Jr. is the owner of the Wrigley Jr. Company, one of the largest food corporations in the world. He was born in 1964 in the United States and grew up in a family known for its entrepreneurial success. His father, William Wrigley Sr., founded the renowned Wrigley Jr. Company in 1872.
Early Life
William Wrigley Sr.'s childhood was challenging, as he left his parental home at the age of 10 in search of a better life in New York. He worked various odd jobs, such as selling newspapers and washing cars, and had no permanent place to stay. After a few years, he started a small business selling soap and baking soda, and to enhance sales, he began giving away chewing gum as a bonus. Eventually, he decided to manufacture his own chewing gum and founded his own company. In 1893, the iconic brand "Juicy Fruit" was introduced. Over time, the business grew and became highly successful, with factories producing around 9 billion chewing gum sticks annually by 1920. In the 1960s, the company expanded its presence with several branches in Europe and Asia.
Early Career
Being groomed from childhood, young William Wrigley Jr. was prepared to take over the family corporation. When he was five years old, his parents divorced, and he moved to Arizona with his mother, brother, and sister, away from his father. As a teenager, he began working in his father's company, starting from low-level positions that did not require specific knowledge or skills. For example, he participated in taste tests for new chewing gum flavors. After completing his higher education at Duke University, William decided to pursue his own business instead of working in his father's company.
Return to the Family Business
In 1985, William Wrigley Jr. organized a small business selling stain removers. However, this venture did not yield the expected results, and in the same year, he returned to the family business. In 1999, he became the CEO of the Wrigley Jr. Company and introduced a new business strategy that immediately produced unprecedented results. Despite his father's resistance, he reformed the entire family production system. In 2005, the company launched 72 new product lines, making it one of the most successful family-owned businesses today.
Current Life
William Wrigley Jr. currently resides in Lake Forest with his wife and three children. His estimated net worth is $2 billion, and he ranks 605th on Forbes' list of billionaires.
