Stefano Pessina

$6.31 B

Ranked #627 in World

About Stefano Pessina

Stefano Pessina, an Italian-Monegasque billionaire, born on June 4, 1941, is the Executive Chairman and principal shareholder of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Trained as a nuclear engineer, Pessina diverted from academia due to 1970s politics and spearheaded the transformation of his family's business into a multinational enterprise, Alliance Santé. He led various mergers, including Alliance UniChem with Boots Group PLC, growing the WBA empire. Despite controversy surrounding his 2015 remarks on UK's Labour Party, Pessina's influence in the pharmaceutical industry remains significant, underscored by numerous accolades and a net worth of $10.3 billion.

Born

June 04, 1941

Age

84 years

Source Of Wealth

Drugstores

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Monaco

Residence

Monte Carlo

Education

Bachelor of Engineering, Politecnico di Milano

Stefano Pessina was born on June 4, 1941, in Pescara, Italy. He is an Italian-Monegasque billionaire businessman who currently serves as the Executive Chairman and largest single shareholder of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Pessina graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan with a degree in nuclear engineering. He initially wanted to pursue a career as a nuclear physicist but was discouraged by the political climate of the 1970s.

Stefano Pessina: Family

Stefano Pessina is married to Ornella Barra, who holds the position of Chief Operating Officer, International at Walgreens Boots Alliance. He was previously divorced and has two adult children.

Stefano Pessina: Career Highlights

Pessina's career took a different turn when he took over his family's pharmaceutical wholesaler in Naples. He transformed it into Alliance Santé, a successful Franco-Italian pharmaceutical wholesale group. In 1997, Alliance Santé merged with Alliance UniChem, and Pessina served as the CEO of Alliance UniChem from 2001 to 2004. He later became the deputy chairman and eventually the chairman of Alliance UniChem.

In 2006, Alliance UniChem merged with Boots Group PLC, and the combined entity was taken private in July 2007. Pessina served as the chairman of Alliance Boots from 2007 to 2014. He is currently the Executive Chairman of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and also serves as a director of WBA and the Consumer Goods Forum.

Stefano Pessina: Companies

Stefano Pessina has been associated with several notable companies throughout his career. He took over his family's pharmaceutical wholesaler, which he transformed into Alliance Santé. He later became the CEO of Alliance UniChem and served as the chairman of Alliance Boots. Currently, he holds the position of Executive Chairman at Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and is also a director of WBA and the Consumer Goods Forum.

Stefano Pessina: Major Achievements

Pessina's major achievements include successfully turning around his family's pharmaceutical wholesaler and transforming it into a successful Franco-Italian pharmaceutical wholesale group known as Alliance Santé.

He played a key role in the mergers of Alliance Santé with Alliance UniChem and later with Boots Group PLC. Pessina's leadership and strategic vision contributed to the growth and success of Walgreens Boots Alliance, making him a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stefano Pessina: Awards & Achievements

Stefano Pessina has received several prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to the business world. In 2013, he was bestowed with the Grand Official of the Order of the Star of Italy. In 2016, he received the Special Achievements Award in Business from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). In 2017, he was honored with the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. Furthermore, in 2018, Pessina was inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame.

Stefano Pessina: Personal Life & Legacy

Stefano Pessina is known for his successful business career and his role in transforming the pharmaceutical industry. He is married to Ornella Barra, and they have two adult children from his previous marriage. Pessina's net worth is estimated at US$10.3 billion as of August 2021, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Stefano Pessina: Trivia

In 2015, Pessina made comments about the prospect of Britain's Labour Party winning the 2015 UK general election. He expressed concerns about Labour's business policies and their potential impact on the country. These comments drew criticism from Labour Party figures, who accused Pessina of not understanding the UK's best interests. Walgreens Boots Alliance later clarified that Pessina's comments were taken out of context and represented his personal views only.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 4, 1941

Stefano Pessina is born in Pescara, Italy.

1970s

Discouraged by the political climate, Pessina abandons his dream of becoming a nuclear physicist.

N/A

Graduates from the Polytechnic University of Milan in nuclear engineering.

N/A

Starts his career in academia and later joins market research firm ACNielsen in Milan.

N/A

Takes over his family's pharmaceutical wholesaler in Naples and turns it into Alliance Santé, a Franco-Italian pharmaceutical wholesale group.

1997

Alliance Santé merges with Alliance UniChem.

2001-2004

Serves as CEO of Alliance UniChem.

N/A

Becomes deputy chairman and later chairman of Alliance UniChem.

2006

Alliance UniChem merges with Boots Group PLC.

July 2007

Alliance Boots is taken private.

2007-2014

Serves as chairman of Alliance Boots.

N/A

Currently serves as Executive Chairman of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA).

N/A

Also a director of WBA and the Consumer Goods Forum.

July 2020

Announces that he will step down as CEO of WBA to take a less hands-on role and replace Jim Skinner as executive chairman.

2015

Comments on the prospect of Britain's Labour Party winning the 2015 UK general election.

N/A

Married to Ornella Barra, who is the chief operating officer, international of Walgreens Boots Alliance.

N/A

Previously divorced and has two adult children.

August 2021

Net worth estimated at US$10.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

2013

Receives the Grand Official of the Order of the Star of Italy.

2016

Receives the Special Achievements Award in Business by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF).

2017

Receives the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

2018

Inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame.

Stefano Pessina : FAQs

What is Stefano Pessina's current net worth?

Stefano Pessina's current net worth is $6.31 billion.

What is Stefano Pessina's current global rank among billionaires?

Stefano Pessina holds the 627th position globally among billionaires.

What is Stefano Pessina's current ranking within the Monaco?

Stefano Pessina holds the 1st position in Monaco.

What was the change in Stefano Pessina's net worth compared to the previous year?

Stefano Pessina's net worth increased by 242.2 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 6.06 billion dollars.

What are Stefano Pessina's main sources of wealth?

Stefano Pessina's main source of income comes from Drugstores.

In which industry does Stefano Pessina primarily operate?

Stefano Pessina is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

What is Stefano Pessina educational background?

Stefano Pessina holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Politecnico di Milano.

How old is Stefano Pessina?

Stefano Pessina is 84 years old.

How many children does Stefano Pessina have?

Stefano Pessina has 2 children.

Who is Stefano Pessina and what is his role at Walgreens Boots Alliance?

Stefano Pessina, born on June 4, 1941, in Pescara, Italy, is an Italian-Monegasque billionaire businessman. He is the Executive Chairman and the largest single shareholder of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA).

How did Stefano Pessina start his career before entering the pharmaceutical industry?

Stefano Pessina graduated with a degree in nuclear engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan and initially began his career in academia. He later transitioned to the corporate world, joining the market research firm ACNielsen in Milan.

What significant business moves did Stefano Pessina make in the pharmaceutical industry?

Pessina took over his family's pharmaceutical wholesaler in Naples, transforming it into Alliance Santé. This company later merged with Alliance UniChem. Pessina served as CEO and then chairman, leading to a merger with Boots Group PLC and the formation of Alliance Boots. Afterward, Alliance Boots combined with Walgreens to create Walgreens Boots Alliance, where Pessina currently serves as Executive Chairman.

What was Stefano Pessina's stance on the 2015 United Kingdom General Election?

Stefano Pessina commented on the 2015 UK general election, expressing concerns about the Labour Party's business policies. His remarks drew criticism from Labour Party figures and were subsequently clarified by Walgreens Boots Alliance as his personal opinion.

What personal achievements and recognitions has Stefano Pessina received?

Stefano Pessina has earned several awards, including the Grand Official of the Order of the Star of Italy in 2013, the National Italian American Foundation's Special Achievements Award in Business in 2016, the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award in 2017, and induction into the World Retail Hall of Fame in 2018.