Jorge Carlos Vergara Madrigal (3 March 1955 – 15 November 2019) was a Mexican entrepreneur known for building a global dietary-supplement business, investing heavily in professional football, and producing feature films. Born in Guadalajara, he rose from modest origins to become a high-profile and sometimes controversial public figure in Mexico and Latin America.
Business ventures and Grupo Omnilife
Vergara founded Grupo Omnilife, a company that grew into a major direct-selling manufacturer of nutritional supplements and wellness products. Under his leadership the company expanded beyond Mexico into multiple countries, using networks of independent distributors and an international sales model. His approach mixed aggressive marketing with celebrity sponsorships and large-scale promotional events, and it became one of the defining elements of his public identity.
Involvement in football
Vergara is widely recognized for his ownership and management of high-profile football clubs. He purchased the storied Mexican team C.D. Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, and invested in the club’s brand, stadium presence, and media operations. He also created a U.S.-based affiliate franchise in Major League Soccer and at one point owned Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa. These football ventures combined sporting ambitions with commercial strategies meant to broaden each club’s fanbase and revenue streams.
- Guadalajara – Vergara’s birthplace and the home of his most famous club.
- Grupo Omnilife – the company that established his business platform.
- C.D. Guadalajara – the Mexican club he led and rebranded in the professional era.
- Saprissa – the Costa Rican team he owned for a period.
Film production and cultural projects
Vergara extended his investments into the film industry through the production company Producciones Anhelo. He financed and produced several notable titles, including the Oscar-nominated Y Tu Mamá También and the drama The Assassination of Richard Nixon. His support helped bring Mexican and Latin American filmmaking to wider international audiences and demonstrated his interest in cultural as well as commercial enterprises.
Legacy and public image
Vergara’s career combined entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. Admirers praised his vision for turning brands into cultural touchstones and for supporting film makers, while critics pointed to his outspoken management style and business controversies. Regardless of opinion, his influence on Mexican business, football commercialization, and film production remains a significant part of his legacy.
Jorge Vergara died on 15 November 2019 in New York City after suffering a heart attack. His death prompted reflections across the sports and entertainment communities he had helped shape.
Selected film credits and ventures are documented by industry sources and archives; further details about his companies, clubs, and productions can be found through sports and business records and film databases.