<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>genmills022753_ex24.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


I appoint J.A. Lawrence, S.S. Marshall and K.L. Thome, together and separately,
to be my attorneys-in-fact. This means they may, in my place:

*   sign the registration statement on Form S-8 covering the General Mills, Inc.
    2001 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors;

*   file Form S-8 (with exhibits and related documents) and any amendments
    thereto;

*   perform the acts that need to be done concerning these filings; and

*   name others to take their place.

I am responsible for everything my attorneys-in-fact do when acting lawfully
within the scope of this Power of Attorney.


                                                      /s/ Stephen R. Demeritt
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Stephen R. Demeritt
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ L. D. DeSimone
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      L. D. DeSimone
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ William T. Esrey
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      William T. Esrey
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Raymond V. Gilmartin
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Raymond V. Gilmartin
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


<PAGE>


                                                      /s/ Judith Richards Hope
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Judith Richards Hope
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Robert L. Johnson
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Robert L. Johnson
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Heidi G. Miller
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Heidi G. Miller
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Stephen W. Sanger
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Stephen W. Sanger
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      Dr. A. Michael Spence
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Dr. A. Michael Spence
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Dorothy A. Terrell
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Dorothy A. Terrell
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001


                                                      /s/ Raymond G. Viault
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                      Raymond G. Viault
                                                      Dated:  June 25, 2001

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
