Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Business

Jim Pattison

Jim Pattison is a Canadian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist best known as the founder, chairman, CEO, and sole owner of the Jim Pattison Group.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Jim Pattison is a Canadian business magnate and philanthropist who founded the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest privately held conglomerates. Born in 1928, he built his empire from a single car dealership into a global business.

Early life and career

Jim Pattison was born in Saskatoon in 1928 and moved to Vancouver as a child. He attended the University of British Columbia but left to work, starting as a car salesman before buying his first General Motors dealership in 1961, which became the foundation of his conglomerate.

The Jim Pattison Group – what it is

The Jim Pattison Group is a diversified privately held conglomerate headquartered in Vancouver. It includes businesses in car dealerships, food retail, media, advertising, entertainment, packaging, and finance. The company operates in more than 85 countries and employs tens of thousands of people worldwide.

Philanthropy and public roles

Pattison has been active in civic and charitable work, including as chair and CEO of Expo 86 in Vancouver. He and his family support health care, education, and community organizations. He has received the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia for his contributions.

In short

  • Founded the Jim Pattison Group in 1961 with a single car dealership.
  • Privately held conglomerate with operations in over 85 countries.
  • Net worth estimated at about US$11.7 billion (2026).
  • Active philanthropist and former Expo 86 chair.
Canadian angle

Jim Pattison is one of Canada’s most prominent business figures, and his companies are a major part of the Canadian private-sector economy, especially in British Columbia.

Quick questions

Who is Jim Pattison?
Jim Pattison is a Canadian billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist who founded and leads the Jim Pattison Group, a large privately held conglomerate based in Vancouver.
How old is Jim Pattison?
He was born on October 1, 1928, which makes him 97 years old as of July 2026.
Is Jim Pattison still alive?
Yes. The sources describe him as living and still active in business, with one source noting he was working full-time in his 90s.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Pattison
    Supports: Birth date, identity, role in Jim Pattison Group, and historical net worth estimates.
  2. University of British Columbia — https://president.ubc.ca/about-the-president/medal-of-excellence/2018-recipients/jim-pattison/
    Supports: Born in Saskatchewan, moved to Vancouver, founded the Jim Pattison Group in 1961, and company scale.
  3. City of Vancouver — https://vancouver.ca/your-government/jim-pattison.aspx
    Supports: Business background, headquarters location, industries, philanthropy, and honours.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Pattison_Group
    Supports: Company description, ownership, size, and business breadth.
  5. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Pattison
    Supports: Updated 2026 net worth estimate and general biographical details.
  6. Horatio Alger Association — https://horatioalger.ca/members/detail/jim-pattison/
    Supports: Birthplace and founder/owner status.