not necessarily bad." In a 2010 discussion of books on his reading stack with journalist Nick Paumgarten, Mackey explained his views on human-caused climate change were similar to those of Australian geologist and author Ian Plimer: ...Mackey told me that he agrees with the book [ Heaven and Earth ]'s assertion that, as he put it, "no scientific consensus exists" regarding the causes of climate change; he added, with a candor you could call bold or reckless, that it would be a pity to allow "hysteria about global warming" to cause us "to raise taxes and increase regulation, and in turn lower our standard of living and lead to an increase in poverty." Personal life Despite the fact that Mackey's company Whole Foods had a market value of $11.7 billion in 2011, he was known for his frugality. In this time, he drove a five-year-old Honda Civic, and to this day is known for using low-cost hotels and always flying commercial. For an interview with Barron's magazine, he wore khaki shorts and a checked shirt. Much in line with the ethos of Whole Foods, Mackey doesn't eat frozen or processed meals, and is a practitioner of an organic and plant-based diet. Religion During his twenties, Mackey experimented with different religions and philosophies, and it was rumored for a long time that he was a Buddhist. Mackey now describes himself as a Perennialist. Family Mackey had a longtime relationship with Mary Kay Hagen. Mackey married his wife, Deborah Morin, in 1991. They have no children. Both practice yoga. They spend the week in Austin and weekends at their ranch west of Austin. Legacy and honors Mackey was named the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and one of the top 30 CEOs in 2007 by Barron's magazine. In May 2008, he received an honorary bachelor's degree from Bentley College. Bibliography Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the Worlds Problems (with Michael Strong, John Wiley & Sons, 2009) Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business (with Bill George and Rajendra Sisodia, Harvard Business Review Press, 2013 Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business (with Steve Mcintosh and Carter Phipps, 2020) Further reading Joshua Clark Davis, From Head Shops to Whole Foods: The Rise and Fall of Activist Entrepreneurs (New York: Columbia University Press, 2017) See also Sustainable business References External links John Mackey's blog on