Juan Esteller Roig

Juan Roig Alfonso (; born 8 October 1949) is a Spanish billionaire businessman, president of the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona and Valencia Basket. As of November 2024, his net worth was estimated at US$6 billion.

Early life Juan Roig was born on 8 October 1949 in Valencia. He studied in a Jesuit school in Valencia, then at a boarding school, and graduated in economics at Valencia, but was not an outstanding student. Eight years after graduating, he studied a postgraduate at IESE Business School, University of Navarra.

His parents ran a chain of eight butchers' shops (Cárnicas Roig) in La Pobla de Farnals, later converted to grocery stores.

Business career With three of his five brothers, Juan Roig bought the shops from his parents in 1981. He largely bought out his brothers in 1991, and on technological innovations such as barcode scanners and automated distribution facilities. This in fact is the estimated value of the 78% stake in Mercadona jointly owned by himself and his wife. But since Mercadona shares are not publicly quoted, the figure is somewhat speculative.

Personal life At university he met Hortensia Herrero, and they married in 1973. They have four children, and live in Valencia, Spain.

He has been described as "shy, but a tough businessman" and as "a practical man, direct, austere, takes things seriously, his manner may appear cold if he does not trust the person he is talking to". Many aphorisms are ascribed to him, such as "in Spain we have to imitate the hard-working culture of the Chinese bazaars" and "you do not have to do a job that you like, but you have to make your job something you like doing". He also sponsors a professional basketball team, called Valencia Basket. He has held leadership roles in the Family Business Institute (IEF), EDEM, AECOC, and ASEDAS, and is a founding member of the Business Council for Competitiveness. His awards include the Prince Felipe Award for Business Excellence (2009), the Grand Cross of the Order of Jaume I, the Gold Medal for Merit at Work (2016), and induction into the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs (2018). He has also been recognized among Spain's top entrepreneurs and ranked as the business leader with the best reputation by Merco.