Eduardo Cojuangco

$1.00 B

Ranked #1990 in World

About Eduardo Cojuangco

Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr., a prominent Filipino businessman and politician who passed away on June 16, 2020, was renowned for his influential roles, including the Chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, Southeast Asia's largest food and beverage corporation. Born on June 10, 1935, Cojuangco's ambitious journey saw him amass personal wealth estimated at US$1.16 billion in 2016, while his business empire significantly contributed to the Philippines' gross national product. His tenure saw controversies, such as his implication in the Coco Levy Fund controversy and his perceived close association with the Marcos regime, reflecting a multifaceted legacy that impacted both Philippine industry and politics. Cojuangco's life was marked by notable involvements in sports, particularly basketball, and his political aspirations culminated in establishing the Nationalist People's Coalition. His death ignited reflections on his substantial, albeit complex, contributions to the Philippines.

Born

June 10, 1935 in Paniqui, Tarlac, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands

Died

June 16, 2020 (aged 85)

Source Of Wealth

Food, Drinks

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

Philippines

Spouse

Soledad "Gretchen" Oppen-Cojuangco

Children

6 (including 2 daughters with Aileen Damiles)

Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr. was born on June 10, 1935, in the Philippines. He was the first-born child of Eduardo Chichioco Cojuangco and Josephine B. Murphy. Cojuangco completed high school at De La Salle College and went on to attend UP Los Baños and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Family

Cojuangco's mother, Josephine B. Murphy, was born and raised in Baguio. She was the daughter of an Irish-Canadian U.S. Army volunteer who married a Filipina woman. His father, Eduardo Sr., the son of Melecio Cojuangco, was of Chinese descent. Cojuangco was married to Soledad "Gretchen" Oppen of Negros Occidental. They had four children: Margarita "Tina" Cojuangco Barrera, Luisa "Lisa" Cojuangco-Cruz, Carlos "Charlie" Cojuangco, and Marcos "Mark" Cojuangco. Although later separated, the couple remained legally married even after The Philippine Star reported in March 2018 that Cojuangco was living with 1996 Binibining Pilipinas Universe winner Aileen Damiles and their two daughters.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Career Highlights

Cojuangco was a prominent Filipino businessman and politician. He served as the chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, the largest food and beverage corporation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He also held the positions of Philippine ambassador and governor of Tarlac.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Companies

Cojuangco's business empire included San Miguel Corporation, the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), and several other companies. His business empire accounted for 25% of the gross national product of the Philippines at one time.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Major Achievements

Cojuangco's major achievements include the development of San Miguel Corporation into the largest food and beverage corporation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He also played a significant role in the Philippine coconut industry.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Awards & Achievements

Cojuangco received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to business and politics. He was named "one of the country's leading businessmen" and was recognized for his advocacy of sports in the Philippines.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Personal Life & Legacy

Cojuangco was known for his close relationship with Philippine president Ferdinand E.

Marcos, which earned him a reputation as one of the late dictator's most powerful "cronies." He was also implicated in the Coco Levy Fund controversy, a decades-long dispute over funds acquired by the Philippine Government from the coconut industry. Cojuangco died on June 16, 2020, of heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 85.

Eduardo Cojuangco: Trivia

Cojuangco was a key benefactor of the De La Salle Green Archers men's basketball team and served as the founding chairman of the horse racing body Philippine Racing Commission from 1975 to 1978. He was also known for his advocacy of sports in the country, notably basketball, having supported it since the 1980s as a basketball godfather with his Northern Consolidated team.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 10, 1935

Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr. was born in Tarlac, Philippines.

1972

Cojuangco was one of the "Rolex 12," a group of men who planned and enforced the imposition of Martial Law in the Philippines.

1973-1982

Cojuangco was implicated in the Coco Levy Fund controversy, a dispute over funds acquired by the Philippine Government from a tax on copra sold by coconut farmers.

1975

Cojuangco allegedly used the coconut levy funds to gain control of a 72.2% stake in United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).

1983

Cojuangco acquired a 20% stake in San Miguel Corporation using the windfalls from the coconut levy fund and United Coconut Planters Bank.

February 25, 1986

Cojuangco was flown out of the country and into exile along with the Marcos family and Fabian Ver after Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by the People Power revolution.

1989

Cojuangco was allowed to return to the Philippines after spending most of his exile breeding and racing horses in Australia.

1992

Cojuangco founded the Nationalist People's Coalition and ran for the Philippine presidency, ultimately losing to Fidel V. Ramos.

2003

Cojuangco intended to run in the 2004 presidential election but soon withdrew.

June 16, 2020

Cojuangco died of heart failure and pneumonia at the St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City, six days after his 85th birthday.

April 29, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11729, declaring every 10th of June each year a public special holiday in the Province of Tarlac which is formally known as Danding Cojuangco Day.

Eduardo Cojuangco : FAQs

What is Eduardo Cojuangco's net worth?

As of 2020, Eduardo Cojuangco's net worth was $1.00 billion.

What are Eduardo Cojuangco's main sources of wealth?

Eduardo Cojuangco's main source of income comes from Food, Drinks.

In which industry does Eduardo Cojuangco primarily operate?

Eduardo Cojuangco is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

Is Eduardo Cojuangco dead?

Yes, Eduardo Cojuangco died on June 16, 2020 (aged 85).

How many children does Eduardo Cojuangco have?

Eduardo Cojuangco has 4 children.

Who was Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr. and what was his role in the Philippines?

Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr. was a prominent Filipino businessman and politician, known for being the Chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, the largest food and beverage corporation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He also served as a Philippine ambassador and governor of Tarlac.

What was the Coco Levy Fund controversy and Eduardo Cojuangco's involvement in it?

The Coco Levy Fund controversy revolved around funds acquired by the Philippine Government through a tax on copra sold by coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982, which were intended to develop the Philippine coconut industry. Eduardo Cojuangco was implicated for allegedly using these funds to gain control of significant stakes in United Coconut Planters Bank and San Miguel Corporation, leading to a long legal battle and government sequestration of these assets after the Marcos Administration was ousted.

What were Eduardo Cojuangco's political roles and activities after the 1986 People Power Revolution?

After the 1986 People Power Revolution, Cojuangco went into exile and returned in 1989. He founded the Nationalist People's Coalition in 1992, ran for the Philippine presidency that year, and engaged in various political activities thereafter, eventually becoming chairman emeritus of the NPC and known as a "kingmaker" in Philippine politics.

How did Eduardo Cojuangco contribute to sports in the Philippines?

Eduardo Cojuangco significantly contributed to Philippine sports, notably basketball. He supported the sport since the 1980s, owned three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association, and was a key benefactor of the De La Salle Green Archers men's basketball team. He also served as the founding chairman of the Philippine Racing Commission.

What was Eduardo Cojuangco's legacy after his death in 2020?

After Eduardo Cojuangco's death in 2020, his legacy was commemorated when then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11729, declaring every 10th of June as Danding Cojuangco Day, a public special holiday in the Province of Tarlac, reflecting his significant impact on the region and the country.