John Catsimatidis

$4.82 B

Ranked #856 in World

About John Catsimatidis

John A. Catsimatidis, a Greek-born American magnate who immigrated to West Harlem as an infant, became a figure of financial influence after founding Red Apple and acquiring Gristedes. He oversees an empire comprising of Red Apple Group and United Refining Co. With diverse political contributions and media forays, including buying WABC Radio, Catsimatidis balances business with philanthropy, supporting numerous charities and offering aid during the Ukraine crisis.

Born

September 07, 1948 in Nisyros, Greece

Age

77 years

Source Of Wealth

Oil, Real Estate

Industries

Energy

Citizenship

United States

Residence

New York, New York

Education

Drop Out, New York University

Spouse

Margo Vondersaar (Married: 1988)

Children

Andrea Catsimatidis, John Catsimatidis Jr.

John A. Catsimatidis was born on September 7, 1948, in Nisyros, Greece. He came to the United States at six months old and grew up in West Harlem. Catsimatidis graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1966 and attended New York University for electrical engineering but dropped out eight credits short of graduating.

John Catsimatidis: Family

John A. Catsimatidis is married to Margaret "Margo" Vondersaar since 1988. They have two children, Andrea and John Jr.

John Catsimatidis: Career Highlights

John A. Catsimatidis opened his first grocery store, Red Apple, in Manhattan's Upper West Side in 1971. He acquired Gristedes supermarkets and Charles & Co. specialty-food stores in 1986. Catsimatidis owns the Red Apple Group, a real estate and aviation company with holdings in New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. He is the Chairman and CEO of United Refining Co., a subsidiary of the Red Apple Group.

John Catsimatidis: Companies

John A. Catsimatidis owns and operates the following companies:

Red Apple Group
United Refining Co.
Gristedes Supermarkets
Charles & Co. Specialty-Food Stores
WABC Radio Station

John Catsimatidis: Major Achievements

John A. Catsimatidis has achieved significant success in business and philanthropy. He is ranked 182nd on the Forbes 400 list of richest people in America in 2015, with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion. Catsimatidis is also involved in various charitable organizations and has created the WABC Radio Foundation to provide humanitarian relief for Ukrainians in need during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

John Catsimatidis: Awards & Achievements

John A. Catsimatidis has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to business and philanthropy. Some of his notable awards include:

Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's Man of the Year
National Italian American Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year
New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor

John Catsimatidis: Personal Life & Legacy

John A. Catsimatidis is a prominent figure in New York City's business and political circles.

He is known for his philanthropy and support of various charitable organizations. Catsimatidis has also been involved in politics, contributing to both Republican and Democratic campaigns. He considered running for mayor of New York City in 2009 and 2013 but lost the Republican primary in 2013 to Joseph J. Lhota.

John Catsimatidis: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about John A. Catsimatidis:

He is a licensed pilot and owns several private planes.
Catsimatidis is a member of the Board of Trustees of New York University.
He is the former president of the Manhattan Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Catsimatidis is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and contributed to his 2020 reelection campaign.

Wealth History

Timeline

September 7, 1948

Born in Nisyros, Greece.

1950

Came to the US at six months old and grew up in West Harlem.

1966

Graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School.

1971

Opened his first grocery store, Red Apple, in Manhattan's Upper West Side.

1986

Acquired Gristedes supermarkets and Charles & Co. specialty-food stores.

2008

Involved in efforts to take over SemGroup LP, an oil, gas, and asphalt trading company.

2009

Considered running for mayor of New York City.

2013

Lost the Republican primary for mayor of New York City to Joseph J. Lhota.

2015

Ranked 182nd on the Forbes 400 list of richest people in America, with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion.

2019

Acquired WABC radio station.

2022

Created the WABC Radio Foundation to provide humanitarian relief for Ukrainians in need during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

John Catsimatidis : FAQs

What is John Catsimatidis's current net worth?

John Catsimatidis's current net worth is $4.82 billion.

What is John Catsimatidis's current global rank among billionaires?

John Catsimatidis holds the 856th position globally among billionaires.

What is John Catsimatidis's current ranking within the United States?

John Catsimatidis holds the 322nd position in United States.

What was the change in John Catsimatidis's net worth compared to the previous year?

John Catsimatidis's net worth decreased by 0 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 4.82 billion dollars.

What are John Catsimatidis's main sources of wealth?

John Catsimatidis's main source of income comes from Oil, Real Estate.

In which industry does John Catsimatidis primarily operate?

John Catsimatidis is primarily involved in the Energy industry.

What is John Catsimatidis educational background?

John Catsimatidis is a dropout from New York University.

How old is John Catsimatidis?

John Catsimatidis is 77 years old.

How many children does John Catsimatidis have?

John Catsimatidis has 2 children.

Who is John A. Catsimatidis and where was he born?

John A. Catsimatidis is a businessman and radio host born on September 7, 1948, in Nisyros, Greece, who grew up in West Harlem after coming to the US at six months old.

What businesses does John A. Catsimatidis own?

John A. Catsimatidis owns the Red Apple Group, which includes Gristedes supermarkets, Charles & Co. specialty-food stores, real estate and aviation companies, and United Refining Co. He also acquired WABC radio station in 2019.

What is 'The Cats Roundtable' radio show?

'The Cats Roundtable' is a talk radio show hosted by John A. Catsimatidis on WABC, and he also hosts 'Cats at Night.' Catsimatidis acquired WABC radio station in 2019.

Has John A. Catsimatidis been involved in political activities?

Yes, John A. Catsimatidis has supported both Republican and Democratic political campaigns, considered running for mayor of New York City, and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump in 2020.

What philanthropic efforts is John A. Catsimatidis known for?

John A. Catsimatidis supports various charitable organizations, including the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research and has involvement with groups like the Police Athletic League of New York City. He also created the WABC Radio Foundation to help Ukrainians during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.