Evangelos Marinakis

Evangelos Marinakis is a Greek businessman and investor whose empire spans shipping, football, and media. As the founder of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., he commands a fleet of around 170 vessels, making him a central figure in global maritime trade. He also owns Olympiacos, Greece's most successful football club, and English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, along with Portuguese club Rio Ave. His media group, Alter Ego Media, controls major Greek newspapers and digital outlets, solidifying his influence beyond business.

Forbes estimates his net worth at $7 billion as of March 2026, ranking him among the world's billionaires. Marinakis has been a fixture on Lloyd's List's influential shipping list for over a decade, and his leadership led Olympiacos to a historic UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2024. Known for his strategic vision and polarizing public image, he continues to expand his footprint across industries while actively engaging in philanthropy, including partnerships with UNICEF. [edit]

Born into a shipping family in Piraeus, Marinakis grew up surrounded by the maritime industry. His father, Miltiadis Marinakis, was a shipowner and politician, which exposed him early to both business and public service. He attended secondary school in Piraeus before moving to London for university, where he earned a bachelor's in international business administration and a master's in international relations from the American International University.

After returning to Greece, Marinakis joined the family business, working as commercial manager for Capital Ship Management Corp. from 1992 to 2005. That role gave him hands-on experience in chartering, operations, and fleet management. In 2005, he struck out on his own, founding Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. The company quickly grew, and within a few years it was operating a diverse fleet of tankers and bulk carriers, setting the stage for his later ventures into football and media. [edit]

Marinakis's breakthrough came in 2010 when he acquired a majority stake in Olympiacos and became its president. Under his ownership, the club has won eleven Greek championships and four Greek cups, dominating domestic football. The pinnacle arrived in 2024 when Olympiacos won the UEFA Europa Conference League, the first European trophy ever claimed by a Greek club, a feat that resonated across the nation.

In 2017, he purchased Nottingham Forest, ending a 23-year Premier League exile when the club won promotion in 2022. He later invested in Portuguese side Rio Ave in November 2023. His media ambitions materialized with Alter Ego Media S.A., which acquired the Lambrakis Press Group in 2017, bringing major outlets like To Vima and in.gr under his control. The company went public in 2025, further expanding his business empire. [edit]

Marinakis cuts a polarizing figure in Greek public life. Critics often label him a 'Greek oligarch,' a term he rejects, while supporters point to his business acumen and philanthropic efforts. His ownership of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest has made him a visible presence in European football, where he is known for passionate touchline behavior and ambitious investment. In media, his Alter Ego group carries significant weight, shaping public discourse. Fans of his clubs appreciate his commitment to winning, while detractors question his methods. Despite controversies, including match-fixing allegations from which he was acquitted, Marinakis maintains a strong following among those who see him as a modernizer and a winner. [edit]

Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek shipping magnate and football club owner, has been evaluated by iFANN's Global Fame Engine but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether the Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list. His fame, while considerable in the worlds of maritime commerce and European football, has not translated into a formal ranking as of August 2026.

Despite his absence from the rankings, Marinakis commands a substantial following across three continents through his ownership of Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest, and Rio Ave. His supporters, however, have not coalesced under a formal fandom name, no documented moniker exists in iFANN data, and no organized fan collective has adopted a specific label in his honor. Instead, his fanbase is fragmented among the distinct supporter cultures of his clubs, each with its own traditions and loyalties.

Fan interactions are largely mediated through his club ownerships, and while no notable fan-driven campaigns or projects bear his name, his legal actions have occasionally intersected with fan culture. In August 2026, Marinakis filed a defamation lawsuit against Crystal Palace over a banner displayed by Palace ultras, an incident that drew widespread media attention and underscored his willingness to engage with fan-generated content when it crosses legal lines.[edit]

Marinakis has been included on Lloyd's List's 'One Hundred Most Influential People in Shipping' every year since 2010, reaching 10th place in 2025. He received an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in June 2024. In December 2023, his company Capital Offshore invested $106 million in a fleet of seven platform supply vessels. He has been a municipal councillor of Piraeus since 2014, elected with the Piraeus Victor party. Marinakis is a supporter of commemorating the victims of the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus.

In August 2026, Marinakis filed a defamation lawsuit against Crystal Palace in the UK High Court over a banner displayed by Palace supporters at Selhurst Park, which depicted him holding a gun to the head of Nottingham Forest player Morgan Gibbs-White. The incident, widely covered by major news outlets, has become a defining story in his public narrative, illustrating his readiness to defend his reputation in the football world.[edit]

Marinakis is married to Athanasia Kassioti, and together they have four children: three daughters and one son. Their son, Miltiades Marinakis, has launched his own company called 'Shopflix.' The family resides in Paleo Psychiko, a wealthy suburb of Athens. Marinakis's father, Miltiadis Marinakis, was a shipowner and politician, and his mother is Irini Marinaki. He has spoken publicly about the influence of his father's career on his own path in shipping and public life. [edit]

Marinakis is closely associated with his father, Miltiadis Marinakis, a shipowner and politician, and his wife Athanasia Kassioti. His son Miltiades has made headlines with his own startup. In the football world, he works alongside managers and executives at Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest, though no specific names are highlighted in the research. [edit]

Marinakis has been married to Athanasia Kassioti for many years. The couple has four children together. Their relationship has remained stable and out of the public spotlight, with Kassioti rarely appearing in media. As of 2026, they remain married and reside in Paleo Psychiko, Athens. [edit]

iFANN's editorial analysis currently estimates Evangelos Marinakis's net worth at $7 billion as of 2026, a figure that places him among the world's billionaires. His wealth is built on several pillars. Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., his shipping flagship, operates a fleet of roughly 170 vessels across tankers, bulk carriers, LNG, and other segments, generating substantial revenue. His media group, Alter Ego Media, went public in 2025, adding a liquid asset to his portfolio. Football club ownership provides both asset value and income, with Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest contributing to his overall financial picture. His net worth has grown steadily, from $5.1 billion in October 2025 to $7 billion in March 2026, reflecting strong shipping markets and the successful IPO of Alter Ego. Marinakis has also made strategic investments, such as the $106 million offshore vessel fleet in 2023. While exact figures for his income streams are private, the combination of shipping, media, and sports gives him a diversified and resilient financial base.[edit]

Marinakis has won significant honors through his football club ownership. Under his leadership, Olympiacos claimed the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League, a historic first for a Greek club. The club has also won eleven Greek championships and four Greek cups. Individually, he received the 'Tanker Company of the Year' award at the Lloyd's List Greek Awards in December 2024, recognizing his shipping company's excellence. [edit]