The grand opening of the monumental, multifunctional Roig Arena complex in Valencia, made possible by a personal investment of 400 million euros from the owner of Mercadona, has once again brought attention to one of Spain’s most influential families. This ambitious project, set to become the new home court for the Valencia basketball club, is more than just a commercial venture—it stands as further proof of the deep connection between the Roig clan and their hometown. Arena representatives emphasize that without Juan Roig and his family, a project of this scale would have been unthinkable.
At the core of this financial and industrial powerhouse are Juan Roig himself and his wife Hortensia Herrero. Their partnership, which began in their student years at the University of Valencia’s Faculty of Economics in the early 1970s, laid the foundation not only for a strong family with four daughters—Carolina, Hortensia, Amparo, and Juana—but also for building an immense fortune. Today, their wealth ranks among the top five in Spain, and Roig consistently appears high on global lists of the world’s richest individuals.
The issue of succession in such an empire is always acute, with all eyes on the youngest daughter, Juana. Having graduated from the prestigious Esade business school and gained experience at giants like Inditex and Mango, she appears to be the most likely successor. Since 2017, she has faced the daunting task of leading the digital transformation of the entire supermarket chain. Her membership on the audit committee and board of directors further attests to the high level of trust from her father. Juana herself admits that her famous surname has opened many doors for her, but at the same time proved a serious challenge, constantly forcing her to prove her competence.
Her sisters, following the family tradition of modesty and privacy, are also closely involved in their life’s work. The eldest, Hortensia Roig, once joked that she has three sisters and another one named Mercadona, a remark that perfectly captures the company’s place in their family. She serves as president of the prestigious EDEM business school and is a board member of the family corporation. Her twin sister, Carolina, also trained as an economist, has taken a more analytical path. She coordinates the market analysis department and serves as secretary to the board of directors, playing a key, albeit less visible, role in management.
Amparo Roig holds the most independent position. She chose to pursue a career in architecture and became a partner at the renowned Valencia-based firm Erre. However, even her professional journey intersects with the family’s interests. One of her studio’s flagship projects was the restoration of the Valeriola Palace, which was transformed into a new art museum at the initiative of her mother. Thus, each of the four daughters, following their own path, in one way or another contributes to strengthening and developing the legacy created by their parents.
