The Barilla family, owners of the Barilla Group, are estimated to have a net worth of over $3 billion as of 2023. The Barilla Group is the largest pasta producer in the world, controlling approximately 25% of the global pasta market. Founded in 1877, Barilla has grown into a multinational food company with products sold in over 100 countries worldwide.
The History of the Barilla Family Business
The Barilla pasta company was founded in 1877 by Pietro Barilla Sr. in Parma, Italy. Originally a bread and pasta shop, the company grew into a pasta factory in 1910 under Pietro’s sons Gualtiero and Riccardo. After Riccardo’s death, Gualtiero brought his sons Pietro and Gianni into the business in the 1920s.
Under Pietro Barilla Jr.’s leadership, the company expanded into selling packaged, branded pastas and opened a continuous cycle production plant in Pedrignano. Pietro Jr. died in 1947, leaving the business to his brothers Gianni and Giovanni. The brothers focused on modernizing production methods and improving product quality.
In the 1950s, the brothers pioneered the use of television advertising in Italy to promote their pasta. They hired famous artists and celebrities for Barilla commercials, helping to cement the brand in Italian popular culture. Barilla became known as a symbol of high quality Italian food.
When Gianni and Giovanni retired in the 1960s, Pietro’s son Gianni Barilla took over the company. He focused on international expansion, bringing Barilla pastas to the European, American and Brazilian markets. By 1971, Barilla had sales of over 100 billion lira, making it the largest pasta maker in the world.
Barilla Under Guido Barilla’s Leadership
When Gianni Barilla passed away in 1993, his son Guido took over leadership of the company. Guido Barilla continued expanding the company’s global reach, particularly in the United States. He also focused on vertical integration by acquiring wheat mills and factories to produce other Italian food brands like Mulino Bianco, Voiello and Pavesi.
Under Guido, the Barilla Group grew into a world leader in the pasta and bakery industries with iconic brands including:
- Barilla pasta
- Mulino Bianco cookies and baked goods
- Gran Cereale breakfast cereals
- Harry’s bakery products
- Voiello and Academia Barilla dry and fresh pasta
- Wasa crispbread
- Pavesi ready-made desserts
In addition to pasta and bakery products, Barilla now owns a number of food brands including chocolate maker Amici, tomato sauce brand Al Gusto, and mineral water Sanpellegrino.
The company reported sales of €3.9 billion euros in 2020, with a production capacity of over 2 million tons of food products sold in 100 countries. Barilla employs over 8,400 people worldwide.
Current Ownership Structure of Barilla Group
Today the Barilla Group remains entirely owned by the descendants of Pietro Barilla Sr. No shares in the company are publicly traded. The owners are:
- Guido Barilla (Pietro Barilla Jr.’s grandson) – Chairman of the Board
- Luca Barilla (Guido’s brother) – Vice Chairman
- Paolo Barilla (Guido’s son) – Board Member
- Emanuela Barilla (Guido’s sister) – Board Member
- Gianluca Barilla (Guido’s son) – Board Member
While day-to-day operations are run by outside executives, the owning family still controls the Board of Directors and oversees the company’s long-term strategy.
Estimated Net Worth of the Barilla Family
As 100% owners of the Barilla Group, the Barilla family’s net worth is estimated at over $3 billion as of 2023. Each year, the company generates billions in revenue and hundreds of millions in profits.
In 2020, Barilla reported:
- €3.9 billion euros in sales revenue
- €526 million euros in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)
- €323 million euros in operating profit
With no debt and very high margins (over 10% net profit), the pasta business has made the Barillas one of the wealthiest families in Italy. Their net worth could be even higher if accounting for assets like real estate, art collections, investments, etc.
Forbes listed Guido Barilla and siblings Luca, Paolo and Emanuela as inheriting a fortune worth over $3.4 billion from their father back in 2012. The wealth has likely grown since then through reinvested profits.
As a private company, the exact details of the family’s net worth and ownership stakes are not public. But it’s clear the Barilla heirs are billionaires who have built one of the world’s most valuable food brands.
Accomplishments and Impact of the Barilla Company
Under the Barilla family’s ownership for over 140 years, their company has accomplished:
- Becoming the #1 pasta maker in the world
- Expanding from a local bread and pasta shop into a globally recognized Italian food brand
- Pioneering industrial pasta production and food manufacturing innovations
- Introducing Italians (and later the world) to affordable, mass-produced pasta
- Promoting Italian cuisine and food culture through advertising and marketing
- Developing product ranges in pasta, bakery, sauces, ready meals and other categories
- Building a portfolio of iconic food brands like Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Gran Cereale, etc.
- Becoming one of the largest Italian-owned multinational companies
The Barilla Group now produces an estimated 1 million tons of pasta per year. Their brands can be found in stores and kitchens worldwide as symbols of authentic Italian cuisine.
The family-owned company employs over 8,000 people and indirectly supports thousands of additional jobs across their supply chains. The Barillas’ success has made a major economic impact in Italy and their expansion has helped share Italian food culture internationally.
Barilla Family Philanthropy and Values
As one of Italy’s most prominent businessman, Guido Barilla has engaged in significant philanthropy. The Barilla Group funds programs supporting:
- Food education for young people
- Promoting physical activity
- Empowering disadvantaged communities
- Supporting the arts and culture
Guido has served as President of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which provides support and education access for people living in poverty. The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition advocates for food sustainability, access and consumption awareness.
Within the company, Barilla lists their guiding values as:
- Sharing values to grow together
- Improving lives through better food
- Food that delights and nourishes life
- Passionate care for product and process quality
- Using the best of nature to bring out the best in life
The owners strive to operate with transparency and integrity. While immensely profitable, Barilla aims to be about more than just business results.
Conclusion
Over nearly century and a half, the Barilla family has built one of the world’s great food companies. Their estimated multi-billion dollar net worth stems from their 100% ownership stake in the thriving Barilla Group.
From a humble bakery and pasta shop, the Barillas now claim global dominance in the pasta industry along with several other iconic Italian food brands. While profitability has made the owners extraordinarily wealthy, the company also aspires to promote social values and advance food culture.
For any entrepreneur, the Barilla business represents an inspiring family legacy and lasting impact on an entire nation’s cuisine. The owners continue to build on this history and seek new ways to share the richness of Italian food with the world.