Mario Moretti Polegato & family

$1.84 B

Ranked #2196 in World

About Mario Moretti Polegato & family

Mario Moretti Polegato, Italian entrepreneur and innovator in breathable footwear, founded Geox and serves as its president. Born on August 16, 1952, in Crocetta del Montello, Polegato established Geox after a career in winemaking. Recognized globally, he received honors such as the Knight of Labour and the Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Polegato expands his influence in finance as president of LIR Srl and maintains diplomatic roles, including as Honorary Consul General of Romania.

Born

August 16, 1952 in Crocetta del Montello, Italy

Age

73 years

Source Of Wealth

Shoes

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Italy

Residence

Crocetta del Montello

Mario Moretti Polegato was born on August 16, 1952, in Crocetta del Montello, Italy. He grew up in a family involved in agriculture and winemaking, which influenced his early interests and career choices.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Family

Mario Moretti Polegato comes from a family with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. His father, Luigi, was a successful businessman in the agricultural and winemaking sectors, while his mother, Rina, was a homemaker. Mario has two siblings, Giancarlo and Luciana.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Career Highlights

Mario Moretti Polegato's career highlights include:

Establishing Geox, a company that revolutionized the footwear industry with its breathable shoe technology.
Leading Geox to become a global leader in the comfortable footwear sector.
Expanding Geox's product line to include clothing with breathable technologies.
Successfully listing Geox on the Borsa Italiana in 2004.
Acquiring Diadora, an Italian sports brand, in 2009.
Serving as Honorary Consul General of Romania for North-East Italy since 1997.
Becoming a member of the Executive Board of Confindustria (General Confederation of Italian Industry) in 2003.
Joining the Regency Council of the Bank of Italy in 2014.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Companies

Mario Moretti Polegato is associated with the following companies:

Geox Group (President)
LIR Srl (President)
Diadora (Owner through LIR Srl)

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Major Achievements

Mario Moretti Polegato's major achievements include:

Creating Geox, a highly successful and innovative footwear company.
Revolutionizing the footwear industry with breathable shoe technology.
Expanding Geox's business globally and establishing it as a leading brand.
Receiving numerous awards and recognitions for his entrepreneurial achievements.
Serving in various diplomatic and business roles, including Honorary Consul General of Romania and member of the Executive Board of Confindustria.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Awards & Achievements

Mario Moretti Polegato has received numerous awards and achievements, including:

Knight of the National Order of Merit from the President of Romania (2000)
Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young (2002)
Best Italian Entrepreneur in the World by Ernst & Young Global (2003)
Cavaliere del Lavoro della Repubblica Italiana (Knight of Labour) by former Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (2005)
Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica (Great Officer of the Republic) by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (2006)
Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the European School of Management Italia (ESCP-EAP)
European Business Leader Award (EBLA) for Innovator of the Year (2010)
Member of the international panel of judges for the "European Inventor Award" organized by the European Patent Office (EPO)

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Mario Moretti Polegato is married to Ornella Bignami, and they have two children, Enrico and Matteo.

He is known for his passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. His legacy lies in his significant contributions to the footwear industry and his commitment to sustainable business practices.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family: Trivia

Mario Moretti Polegato's interest in breathable footwear was sparked when he noticed his feet sweating excessively while hiking in the mountains.
The name "Geox" is derived from the Greek word "geo" (earth) and the letter "x," symbolizing technology.
Geox shoes feature a patented membrane that allows air to circulate while preventing water from entering, ensuring breathability and comfort.
Mario Moretti Polegato is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys skiing, cycling, and running.
He is actively involved in various charitable initiatives and supports organizations focused on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 16, 1952

Mario Moretti Polegato was born in Crocetta del Montello, Italy.

Studied oenology and worked in the family's agricultural and winemaking business.

Established Geox to create a shoe that breathes.

2000

Received the Knight of the National Order of Merit from the President of Romania.

2002

Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

2003

Recognized as the Best Italian Entrepreneur in the World by Ernst & Young Global.

2004

Geox Group listed on the Borsa Italiana.

2005

Conferred the Cavaliere del Lavoro della Repubblica Italiana (Knight of Labour) by former Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

2006

Honored with the Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica (Great Officer of the Republic) by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

2009

Acquired Diadora, an Italian sports brand, through LIR Srl.

2010

Received the European Business Leader Award (EBLA) for Innovator of the Year.

2014

Appointed as a member of the Regency Council of the Bank of Italy.

2015

Presented with the America Award of the Italy-USA Foundation.

Mario Moretti Polegato & family : FAQs

What is Mario Moretti Polegato's current net worth?

Mario Moretti Polegato's current net worth is $1.84 billion.

What is Mario Moretti Polegato's current global rank among billionaires?

Mario Moretti Polegato holds the 2196th position globally among billionaires.

What is Mario Moretti Polegato's current ranking within the Italy?

Mario Moretti Polegato holds the 60th position in Italy.

What was the change in Mario Moretti Polegato's net worth compared to the previous year?

Mario Moretti Polegato's net worth increased by 400.18 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.44 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Mario Moretti Polegato's net worth?

Mario Moretti Polegato's net worth decreased by 0.15 million dollars recently, a 0.01% decrease, with his net worth standing at 1.84 billion dollars.

What are Mario Moretti Polegato's main sources of wealth?

Mario Moretti Polegato's main source of income comes from Shoes.

In which industry does Mario Moretti Polegato primarily operate?

Mario Moretti Polegato is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

How old is Mario Moretti Polegato?

Mario Moretti Polegato is 73 years old.

How many children does Mario Moretti Polegato have?

Mario Moretti Polegato has 1 children.

Who is Mario Moretti Polegato and why is he well-known?

Mario Moretti Polegato, born on August 16, 1952, in Crocetta del Montello, Italy, is a renowned Italian entrepreneur in the footwear sector, most well-known as the founder and president of Geox, a company famous for creating breathable shoes.

What led Mario Moretti Polegato to establish Geox?

Mario Moretti Polegato established Geox after studying oenology, working in his family's winemaking business, and identifying the need for a breathable shoe, which inspired him to create his innovative footwear brand.

Can you list some of the awards and honors Mario Moretti Polegato has received?

Mario Moretti Polegato has received numerous accolades including the Knight of the National Order of Merit from Romania, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year, the Best Italian Entrepreneur in the World by the same organization, Cavaliere del Lavoro della Repubblica Italiana, and the Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica, among others.

What other business ventures is Mario Moretti Polegato involved with apart from Geox?

Apart from Geox, Mario Moretti Polegato is the president of LIR Srl, a finance company, and controls both Geox and Diadora, as Diadora is an Italian sports brand acquired in 2009 by LIR Srl.

What are some of Mario Moretti Polegato's honorary degrees and what do they signify?

Mario Moretti Polegato has been awarded several honorary degrees, including from the University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine of Banatului in Romania, a master's degree from Cà Foscari University of Venice in Chemistry and Environmental Compatibility, and a degree from the University of Florence in Economics, which signify his contributions to science, environment, and the economy.