William Wrigley III

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William Wrigley III
Born January 21, 1933
Chicago, IL, United States
Died March 8, 1999
Chicago, IL, United States
Occupation Confectionary Magnate
This page is for 3rd generation confectionary magnate. For other persons, see William Wrigley.

William Wrigley III (January 21, 1933 Chicago - March 8, 1999 Chicago) was President of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, founded by his grandfather William Wrigley, Jr. from 1961 until his death. His father P.K. Wrigley preceded him as president. He was succeeded by his son William Wrigley, Jr. II as President and CEO. He inherited ownership of the Chicago Cubs in 1977 and sold the team to the Chicago Tribune in 1981.

Although the company enjoyed a substantial lead in the chewing gum industry during his early years with the firm, by the time he assumed the presidency in 1961 the company's leadership was succumbing to sugarless gum, and later bubble gum. As a result, invested heavily in research in order to expand into several new lines. Under his stewardship the company ventured into the following products: Orbit, Freedent, Extra, Hubba Bubba,and Big Red. Under William III's leadership, Wrigley's was able to maintain its position as the world's largest manufacturer of chewing gum.

He attended Yale University as an undergraduate, and was a member of Wolf's Head Society and Delta Kappa Epsilon.