The Coca-Cola Company is a publicly listed company, meaning there is not one sole owner, but rather the company is ‘owned’ by thousands of shareholders and investors around the world.
However, the largest shareowner of the company is American businessman Warren Buffett. Buffett previously served on Coke’s board of directors for 17 years and has stated he will never sell a share of coke stock.
Historically, Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia by Dr. John S. Pemberton and first sold in 1888. The Coca-Cola Company was founded in 1892 by Asa Griggs Candler who bought the secret formula and brand in 1889.
Three decades later a group of businessmen led by Ernest Woodruff purchased the company for $25 million and led to the company being available on the New York stock exchange.