João Jacob Vontobel Death, Obituary: Brazilian Business Tycoon Dies at 97 in Rio Grande do Sul

João Jacob Vontobel, a prominent Brazilian businessman and long-time figure in the country’s food and beverage industry, has died at the age of 97 in Rio Grande do Sul. His death occurred on Saturday (19), with the cause not publicly disclosed.

Born in Ijuí in 1929, Vontobel began his entrepreneurial journey in 1948 within the food and beverage sector. Over the decades, he built a major business legacy that helped shape parts of Brazil’s industrial landscape.

A major milestone in his career came in 1963 when he became a Coca-Cola franchisee. He later led Vonpar, a company responsible for bottling the brand in Brazil, strengthening his influence in the national beverage market.

The Vonpar beverage operations were eventually sold to Mexico’s Femsa, though the Vontobel family continued its involvement in the food industry. Their portfolio included well-known brands such as Neugebauer, Mu-Mu, and Wallerius, which remain recognized in the Brazilian market.

According to Forbes, Vontobel had an estimated net worth of around R$ 3 billion and was noted as the oldest member of Brazil’s 2026 billionaire list. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Brazilian business history.

A farewell ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (22) in Porto Alegre, where family, friends, and associates are expected to pay their final respects.