October 3, 2023
Meet Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress to the Postum Cereal Company
At Post Consumer Brands, we carry on the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post every day. As the only child of our founder C.W. Post, she inherited the Postum Cereal Company in 1914 at just 27 years old, becoming one of America’s first prominent female business leaders.
Marjorie’s forward-thinking leadership and values continue to inspire our relentless efforts to make quality food accessible for all families and their pets.
Continuing the Legacy: Marjorie Post’s Commitment to Social Responsibility
Beyond growing the business, Marjorie shared Post’s strong commitment to social responsibility. She became a renowned philanthropist supporting various causes and organizations:
- American Red Cross
- National Symphony Orchestra
- Salvation Army
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.)
Her generosity and community spirit continue to inspire our efforts today as we strive to Do Right and uplift people in need.
Marjorie’s Trailblazing Journey as a Pioneering Leader
Marjorie’s natural business acumen also fueled the company’s expansion. She started learning the ropes as a young leader at just ten years old, attending board meetings with her father. This early exposure equipped Marjorie to lead the company into the future with the same Boldness we embrace and value today.
Under her direction, Postum went public in 1922 and acquired brands like Jell-O, Maxwell House Coffee, Sanka and Birdseye Frozen Foods. The company was renamed General Foods in 1929 and became one of the largest food corporations in America, with Marjorie serving as a leader until 1958.
Marjorie’s Personal Life
Beyond business, Marjorie had a deep appreciation for arts, culture and history. She amassed an impressive collection of fine art, antiques, porcelain and silverware. Many of these treasures are housed at Hillwood Estate, her Washington D.C. estate that is now a museum.
Above all else, Marjorie valued family. She had two daughters with her first husband, Edward Close, and one daughter with her second husband, financier E.F. Hutton. Their eldest, actress Dina Merrill, continued her legacy of philanthropy through the LM Merrill Foundation. Marjorie was also very involved in her grandchildren’s lives, emphasizing discipline, manners and education. Her devotion to family inspires our efforts to nourish households of every shape and size.
She led an impactful life, owning properties like the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, until her passing in 1973.
At Post Consumer Brands, Marjorie’s values-driven leadership lives on as we Act Like Owners committed to accessible food for all. We proudly honor her legacy every day.
Learn more about Post Consumer Brands’ groundbreaking history in the breakfast industry.
