From engineer to magnate, his leadership transformed the global pharmaceutical industry.
Stefano Pessina has shown that the road to success can take unexpected turns. Although at the beginning I wasn’t interested in the pharmaceutical industry.his negotiating skills and business vision took him to the top of one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world. Today, with a multimillion-dollar fortune, his personal and professional life reflects the dedication and bold decisions that defined his achievements.
Pessina is not only a giant in business, but also a man of singular habits. Your lifestyle, which includes eat only once a dayhas been part of her minimalist approach to managing her time and resources.
Who is Stefano Pessina
Born in 1941 in Pescara, Italy, the millionaire grew up in various Italian cities, which allowed him to expand his vision of the world from an early age. He graduated in nuclear engineering at the Milan Polytechnicbut decided not to pursue an academic career in physics, disillusioned by the country’s political situation in the 1970s. It was then that he joined the family business, a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Naples. There he began to make strategic decisions that would transform his future.
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In 1977 assumed control of the company, renaming it Alliance Santé. From his first moves, he showed a great ability to grow his project, beginning to expand it beyond the Italian borders. In 1991, initiated a series of key mergersthe most significant being Alliance with the UniChem group in 1997. As its influence grew, it began to acquire other industries in the sector, consolidating its power in Europe.
His big break came in 2006 when Alliance Boots merged with the British group Boots. However, what really cemented his position was the purchase of Boots in 2007 together with KKRa transaction of 22 billion dollars which placed Pessina in charge of the company. A couple of years later, Walgreens acquired Boots, creating Walgreens Boots Alliancea global pharmaceutical giant.
How much is Stefano Pessina’s fortune today?
With a net worth estimated at $5.3 billion At the end of 2024, Stefano Pessina remains one of the most powerful businessmen in the world. His wealth comes primarily from his leadership of Walgreens Boots Alliance, which remains the largest pharmaceutical chain on the planet. In addition to his investments in the pharmaceutical sector, he also owns a significant amount of shares and actively participates in decision making within the company.
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Despite his fortune, the businessman maintains a relatively private and austere life, often standing out for his unique lifestyle, which includes eat only once a day. His minimalist approach is not only reflected in his eating habits, but also in his business philosophy: make cold and calculated decisions, always with a clear and strategic objective.
In the coming years, Pessina hopes to continue expanding Walgreens Boots Alliance’s influence, especially in key markets like China. Although his future as CEO is uncertain, his legacy is already assured thanks to his vision, his ability to negotiate and his ability to transform companies into global giants.
Source: Ambito
