Roberto González Barrera (1930 –2012) was a prominent Mexican businessman and philanthropist. Nicknamed the “King of Tortillas,” Roberto started his career as a shoeshine on the streets of his hometown, Cerralvo, and went on to become chairman of Gruma, the largest producer of tortillas and corn flour in the world (one in four tortillas the world over is produced by Gruma), and of Banorte, the largest majority Mexican-owned commercial bank in Mexico.

Roberto maintained a deep connection to God and liked to say that he owed all his (good) fortune to God and corn. He had deep pride in his Mexican heritage and hometown, and when his wealth allowed, created a special trust (Patronato) to benefit Cerralvo. He considered himself a friend to his children and grandchildren and loved his mother and father intensely. He learned gratitude and altruism from his mother, who, while poor herself, always thought of ways to help others. That ethos has been carried on by the next generations and is the at the heart of our work at Instituto Xilonen.

The man behind the career loved nature, and especially the sea- his most important decisions were taken either out on the water or while flying. A romantic bohemian at heart, Roberto adored the lyricism of art and music. Yet, as a Virgo, he was a disciplined perfectionist and could not abide carelessness or inefficiency. At moments of adversity he kept calm and focused, always saying that within every crisis lies an opportunity.