James Irving
Overview
- Source of Wealth
- Diversified
- Industry
- Diversified
- Residence
- Children
- 4
Biography
James Irving owns J.D. Irving, a conglomerate with more than two dozen companies in frozen foods, retail, shipbuilding, transportation and more.
His timber and forestry operation, based in New Brunswick, has planted over a billion trees since 1957.
His family's fortune dates back to the 19th century, when his grandfather left Scotland and launched a general store and lumber and farming companies.
His father added to the empire with oil operations in the 1920s; upon his 1992 death the three brothers James, Arthur and John split the assets.
Irving Woodlands, a division of J.D. Irving, is the sixth-largest landowner in the U.S. with 1.25 million acres of land.
Jim and Robert Irving, James Irving's sons, are co-CEOs of the J. D. Irving empire, which also includes one of Canada's biggest shipbuilders.
About
Irving's brother, Arthur Irving, is also a billionaire, though inter-family relations have reportedly turned fractious and the brothers reportedly rarely speak.
J.D. Irving holds the Guinness World Record for most trees planted in an hour: 53,000.