James Cargill II: Legacy, Leadership, and Recent Controversies in 2025

The Cargill empire continues to thrive under the stewardship of James Cargill II, with the company achieving remarkable success by generating $160 billion in sales in 2024. As one of the 12 billionaire heirs to the Cargill fortune, James Cargill II, born in 1949, maintains his position as a key figure in America’s largest private company, which has been transforming global agriculture and commerce for over 150 years.

Currently residing in Birchwood, Wisconsin, James Cargill II’s personal life has seen significant changes in recent years. Following the passing of his first wife, Susan Kelly, in 2010, he married Kathy Cargill in 2012. His current wife, Kathy, has recently made headlines for her controversial real estate activities in Duluth, Minnesota, where she purchased 20 homes in the Park Point neighborhood. This buying spree, which included paying $2.5 million for a single property, has created tension with local residents, leading to the suspension of planned community development projects.

The family business, founded by his great-grandfather W.W. Cargill in 1865, continues to maintain its private status, with approximately 90% ownership remaining within the family. James Cargill II’s influence extends beyond the business realm, as he serves on prestigious boards, including the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Board of Trustees of the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

In a significant corporate development, Cargill recently announced plans to terminate approximately 475 employees from its Minnesota facilities, indicating ongoing operational restructuring within the company. Despite these changes, the corporation maintains its position as a global leader in food, agriculture, financial, and industrial sectors.

Through the James R. Cargill II Trust, he has demonstrated interest in sustainable energy by maintaining stock ownership in SolarAttic, a company specializing in solar energy solutions for swimming pools. His commitment to arts and culture continues through his support of prominent institutions like the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.