Who owns Coca-Cola?
COCA-Cola is an iconic brand that spans more than 120 years and a product that is available in almost every country in the world. In short, thousands of people own Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company is a publicly listed company meaning that there is not just one single owner. The company is in fact owned by thousands of shareholders and investors around the world. The largest shareholder of the company is American billionaire Warren Buffett. Dr John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist from Georgia, was on a mission to create a new alcoholic medicine but after the temperance movement of 1886 - a social movement against the sale and consumption of alcohol - Pemberton began creating non-alcoholic versions of the French Wine Coca. Following various experiments Pemberton created a syrup with carbonated water instead of wine. He then sold his drink as a fountain drink rather than medicine where it went for five cents a glass. Thinking that the "two Cs would look well in advertising", Pemberton's partner Frank M. Robinson suggested calling the drink Coca-Cola. Even the trademark today is written in Robinson's unique handwriting. On June 14, 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo wiped $4billion off Coca-Cola's market value after he removed two bottles of the fizzy drink from the desk in front of him during his pre-match conference ahead of the EUROS. He told the world to "Drink Water!" as he sat down to speak to the media. Coca-Cola's share price promptly dropped from $56.10 (39.80) to $55.22 (39.19). MORE COCA-COLA NEWS ALL IN A FIZZ Fans baffled by Ronaldo's Coke snub after pics emerge of him endorsing drink TAKEN A DIVE Ronaldo's 'drink water' Coca-Cola outburst wipes $4BILLION off company's value SODA CAN BAN North Carolina county BANS Coca-Cola vending machines to 'cancel woke Coke' 'TRAINING SEMINAR' What to know about Coca-Cola's employee training seminar scandal COKE GOES WOKE Coca-Cola ripped for 'be less white training to build inclusive workplace  At one point during the day, 1.6 per cent of the company's value had been wiped off - meaning the market value of Coca-Cola went from $242bn to $238bn - a drop of $4bn (2.84bn). Coke has since issued a statement in response to CR7's actions, saying "everyone is entitled to their drink preferences" and that everyone has different "tastes and needs". A spokesperson added: "Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences."