Founder Profile
Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim?
Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim is a founder of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, which was founded in 1946 with Aubrey Pilgrim.
- Company founded
- Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
- Founded
- 1946
- Co-founders
- Aubrey Pilgrim
Background
Bo Pilgrim grew up in rural East Texas and co-founded the feed store business with his older brother Aubrey in 1946.
Founding Story
Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim (1928-2017) co-founded Pilgrim's Pride with his brother Aubrey in Pittsburg, Texas, and led it after Aubrey's death in 1966. He took the company public in 1986, became known nationally for TV ads in a pilgrim hat, and oversaw large acquisitions including Gold Kist before the 2008 bankruptcy and the 2009 JBS investment ended his family's control. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Sources
This profile does not yet cite a source specific to Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.
- Pilgrim's Pride FY2025 Form 10-K (Pilgrim's Pride Corporation)
- Pilgrim's Pride Management (Pilgrim's Pride Corporation)