Don Facundo Bacardi Masso of the Bacardi family invented the first ever white rum in a Cuban distillery in 1862, which became the foundation of the company Bacardi Limited.
Later in the decade, the brand’s popularity exploded throughout the country. Don Facundo’s sons—Emilio, Facundo Jr., and José—and their brother-in-law Enrique ‘Henri’ Schueg, controlled the business throughout the Cuban War of Independence. Because of the family’s involvement with the rebel army, multiple members were exiled or imprisoned until the war was ended.
Emilio and Henri opened numerous new facilities and took on several business ventures over the next several decades. They handed the company’s control to Henri’s son-in-law, Jose Bosch, during the World War II.
In 1954, Compania Ron Bacardi S.A. hosted a celebration for Ernest Hemingway following his acceptance of the Nobel Prize in Literature, an award he received after discussing one of the brand’s products in his most recent novel.
The family met hardship again during the Cuban revolution when Castro’s forces confiscated all of Bacardi’s assets within the country, pushing them to relocate their headquarters to Bermuda.
The most modern family leader is the current chairman of the board of directors, Facundo L. Bacardi. He is great-great grandson of Don Facundo. He took his position as director in 1993, and as chairman in 2005. He is a fifth-generation family member.
Bacardi Limited is one of the world’s largest privately held, family-owned spirits company. From just the white rum, Bacardi now has over 200 brands and labels.