The Billionaire Empire Behind FIJI Water: 5 Shocking Facts About The Wonderful Company Owners

The ownership of FIJI Water, the iconic premium bottled water brand known for its distinctive square bottle and soft taste, remains one of the most intriguing stories in the beverage industry, especially with the latest updates from late 2024 and 2025. The brand is not owned by a large public beverage corporation but by a massive, privately held agricultural and consumer goods conglomerate.

As of today, December 17, 2025, FIJI Water is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Wonderful Company, a multi-billion dollar empire controlled by the controversial yet highly influential billionaire couple, Stewart and Lynda Resnick. Their ownership, which began with a $50 million acquisition in 2004, has transformed the brand into the number-one premium imported bottled water in the United States, yet it continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny regarding environmental and ethical practices.

The Wonderful Company's Architects: Stewart and Lynda Resnick Profile

The owners of FIJI Water, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, are among the most powerful and wealthiest couples in American agriculture and business. Their holding company, The Wonderful Company, has quietly built an empire of recognizable consumer brands.

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• Names: Stewart Resnick and Lynda Resnick
• Primary Holding Company: The Wonderful Company (formerly Roll Global)
• Estimated Combined Net Worth: Varies by source, but generally estimated between $8 billion and $13 billion.
• Acquisition of FIJI Water: 2004
• Other Major Brands Owned:
  • POM Wonderful (pomegranate juice)
  • Wonderful Pistachios
  • Wonderful Halos (mandarin oranges)
  • Wonderful Seedless Lemons
  • JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
• Business Focus: The Resnicks are the largest agricultural landowners in California, controlling vast tracts of farmland and significant water rights, which is a key source of both their immense wealth and public controversy.
• Philanthropy: The couple is known for significant philanthropic contributions, particularly to the arts, education, and environmental causes, including a $750 million pledge to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for climate change research.

The 2004 Acquisition That Launched a Global Brand

FIJI Water was originally founded in 1996 by Canadian businessman David Gilmour. The brand quickly gained traction in the high-end market, positioning itself as a pure, untouched source of water from the remote Yaqara Valley on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji.

In 2004, Stewart and Lynda Resnick’s holding company acquired the brand for an estimated $50 million. This acquisition was a strategic move that diversified The Wonderful Company’s portfolio beyond agriculture and into the premium consumer packaged goods market.

Under the Resnicks' ownership, FIJI Water’s distribution and marketing exploded. Lynda Resnick, known for her marketing prowess, positioned the water as an essential accessory for celebrities and high-net-worth individuals, solidifying its status as a luxury item. The brand's unique mineral profile, high silica content, and soft taste became key selling points against competitors like Evian and Voss.

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The move was not without criticism. The idea of a luxury product—bottled water—being sourced from a developing nation and then shipped across the globe sparked immediate debate about the ethics of water privatization and global transport emissions. This controversy has followed the brand for over two decades.

Recent Challenges and 2024-2025 Updates Under Resnick Ownership

Despite its premium positioning, FIJI Water has not been immune to significant operational challenges and public scrutiny, with several major events making headlines in 2024 and 2025. These updates are crucial for understanding the brand's current status and the owners' ongoing management.

1. The 2024 Contamination and Recall Incident

In early 2024, FIJI Water faced a major product recall that impacted consumers across the United States. The company voluntarily recalled over 78,000 cases of its 500-milliliter bottles.

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The recall was initiated after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected high levels of manganese and the presence of bacteria in the affected bottles. The recalled products were specifically those sold directly to consumers through Amazon.com between February 1 and March 3, 2024. This incident raised temporary concerns about the brand's quality control and supply chain integrity.

2. $140 Million Capacity Expansion and Employment Boost

In a major positive development announced in 2024, FIJI Water committed to a $140 million capacity expansion project in Fiji. This significant investment is designed to boost the company’s production capabilities while simultaneously supporting local employment and sustainability efforts in the region. This move underscores the company's long-term commitment to its operations on the island of Viti Levu.

3. The Microplastics Lawsuit Dismissal

In a win for The Wonderful Company, an Illinois federal court recently rejected efforts to bring a consumer class action lawsuit against the parent company over allegations of microplastics in FIJI Water. This decision provided a legal reprieve from one of the broader industry-wide issues facing bottled water brands.

Sustainability and The Wonderful Company's Dual Narrative

The Resnicks and The Wonderful Company operate with a dual narrative: immense wealth and aggressive business practices on one side, and significant environmental and social responsibility initiatives on the other. This tension is central to the FIJI Water story.

The Push for 100% rPET

FIJI Water has made substantial commitments to environmental sustainability, particularly in addressing the plastic waste problem. The brand is currently transitioning its iconic bottles to be made from 100% rPET (recycled PET plastic) in the United States. This initiative is a response to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging and an effort to reduce the brand's reliance on virgin plastic.

Furthermore, the company's FIJI Water Foundation has been a significant philanthropic force in Fiji since 2007. The foundation focuses on community development, education, and public health, but most notably, it has provided funding for conservation efforts to protect the Sovi Basin, which is the largest remaining pristine rainforest in Viti Levu and helps safeguard the aquifer that is the source of the water.

The Wonderful Company’s Corporate Recognition

Adding to the complexity of the owners' reputation, The Wonderful Company received a major corporate responsibility accolade in 2025. The company was ranked No. 1 on People’s "Companies That Care" list, rising from the third spot in 2024. This recognition highlights the company's efforts in employee well-being, community impact, and diversity, even as other parts of their business face labor and environmental scrutiny.

The Future of FIJI Water: Premiumization and Planet

FIJI Water remains a powerhouse in the premium bottled water segment. Its future, under the continued ownership of Stewart and Lynda Resnick, will likely be defined by a few key trends:

• Continued Premiumization: The brand will maintain its luxury positioning, leveraging its unique sourcing story and high-end marketing collaborations, such as its partnership with the 2024 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards.
• Focus on rPET Transition: The successful and complete transition to 100% recycled plastic will be critical to maintaining consumer trust and addressing core environmental criticisms.
• Topical Authority: The brand’s narrative will continue to be split between its pristine Fijian source and the controversial business practices of its US-based billionaire owners, making it a constant subject of media and consumer interest.

In summary, the owner of FIJI Water is not just a company, but a powerful, private empire—The Wonderful Company—whose decisions are guided by the entrepreneurial vision of Stewart and Lynda Resnick. Their story is a complex tapestry of global commerce, immense wealth, environmental debate, and a relentless pursuit of brand dominance in the bottled water industry.