Owner Of Costco Net Worth (Updated 2026).
Jim Sinegal, the owner of Costco, began his career in the retail industry at an early age. Born in 1936, he started working at a young age to help support his family. His first job was at a local Safeway store in Seattle, where he learned the ropes of the business. He quickly moved up the ranks, eventually becoming a store manager.
In the late 1970s, Sinegal saw an opportunity to create a new kind of retail experience. He partnered with Sol Price, the founder of FedMart, to create a membership-only warehouse club. The idea was to offer high-quality products at discounted prices to members, who would pay an annual fee for access. The first Costco warehouse opened in 1983 in Seattle, and the rest, as they say, is history.
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James Sinegal’s Net Worth in 2025
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As of 2025, James Sinegal, the co-founder of Costco, has an estimated net worth of $40 billion. This makes him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. His wealth is primarily attributed to his stake in Costco.
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Career
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James Sinegal co-founded Costco in 1983, initially serving as its chief operations officer. He became the CEO in 1999 and held the position until his retirement in 2012. Under his leadership, Costco grew into one of the world’s largest retailers.
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Other Ventures
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Besides Costco, Sinegal has no other major business ventures. He is primarily known for his role in building Costco into the successful company it is today. He has, however, served on the board of directors for several other companies.
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Assets
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Sinegal’s primary asset is his 0.9% stake in Costco, which is worth approximately $10 billion as of 2025. He also owns several properties, including a $28 million estate in Kirkland, Washington.
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Annual Income
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As of 2025, Sinegal’s annual income is estimated to be around $100 million. This is primarily from his Costco stake, which generates dividends and increases in value over time. His exact salary from Costco is not publicly disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Owner Of Costco
**Frequently Asked Questions: Owner of Costco Net Worth**
1. Who is the current owner of Costco?
The current owner of Costco is not an individual, but a company. Costco Wholesale Corporation is a publicly traded company, and its shares are owned by its shareholders. As of now, the largest individual shareholder is James Sinegal, the co-founder of Costco, but he does not own a majority stake.
2. What is the net worth of the owner of Costco?
The net worth of the owner, or rather the largest individual shareholder, James Sinegal, is estimated to be around $3 billion.
3. How did James Sinegal become the owner of Costco?
James Sinegal co-founded Costco in 1983 with Jeffrey H. Brotman. They started the company after Sinegal left his position as vice president of operations at a rival warehouse club, Price Club.
4. How much of Costco does James Sinegal own?
As of 2021, James Sinegal owns approximately 1.4% of Costco’s outstanding shares.
5. Who was the first CEO of Costco?
James Sinegal served as the first CEO of Costco from its founding in 1983 until 2012, when he stepped down and was succeeded by Craig Jelinek.
6. What is the net worth of Craig Jelinek, the current CEO of Costco?
The net worth of Craig Jelinek is estimated to be around $1 billion.
7. How does Costco’s business model differ from other retailers?
Costco operates on a warehouse club model, where customers pay an annual membership fee to shop at its stores. This allows Costco to offer products at lower prices than traditional retailers, as it has lower operating costs and a smaller markup on its items.
8. What is the total revenue of Costco?
In fiscal year 2020, Costco’s total revenue was $163.22 billion.
9. How many countries does Costco operate in?
As of 2021, Costco operates in 12 countries, with its largest presence in the United States and Canada.
10. What is the average net worth of a Costco employee?
The average net worth of a Costco employee is not publicly available. However, Costco is known for its high employee satisfaction and competitive wages, with starting pay for employees in the U.S. being at or above the local minimum wage.
