The successful career of Mar García-Baquero
Mar García-Baquero, known for being the wife of Felipe González, former Spanish president, has also stood out as an entrepreneur in the cheese sector. In 2023, she was recognized among the 100 richest women in Spain, ranking 27th on the Forbes list with a fortune estimated at 390 million euros. Since 2022, García-Baquero has increased his assets by almost 65 million, demonstrating his ability to develop and expand his family business, Lácteas García Baquero S.A.
The origins and evolution of the company
Lacteas García Baquero S.A. has its factory in Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Spain. Founded in 1962 by Hersilio García-Baquero and his brother Herminio, it is now managed by Mar García-Baquero and his brother Miguel Ángel García-Baquero.
Over the years, the firm has established itself as the first cheese producer in Spain and the third in Europe. In 2022 they achieved an approximate turnover of 400 million euros, a remarkable growth compared to the 115 million euros of income two decades ago.
A story of growth and innovation
The company began modestly, with only ten cows and a daily production of seven cheeses. The introduction of automation systems in production during the 70s marked a milestone in the company’s development. In the 1990s, the firm experienced a major expansion thanks to the financial support of the Mercapital fund.
Today, Lácteas García Baquero S.A. offers a catalog of 350 cheese references and exports its products to 60 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. This sustained growth has contributed to increasing the company’s income, consolidating it as one of the leaders in the cheese market.
A life away from the spotlight
Despite her successful business career, Mar García-Baquero prefers to stay away from the media and is mostly seen at public events accompanying her husband. However, his name appeared in the Panama Papers for his involvement in a shipbuilding company and the creation of a company in Niue, as well as a bank account in Switzerland. Although the latter was closed in 2006 and the society dissolved in 2008, these events have not affected its reputation or its success in the cheese sector.
