The Unlikely Journey of John Catsimatidis — From Greek Island Roots to Billion-Dollar Empire

The Island Beginning and Early New York Life

John Catsimatidis was born on September 7, 1948, on the Greek island of Nisyros — a modest beginning far removed from the skyscrapers and boardrooms where he would one day operate.  Six months after his birth, his family emigrated to the United States in search of a better life. They settled in Harlem, New York, where his father worked as a busboy and his mother stayed home. 

Growing up in Harlem, Catsimatidis attended public and parochial schools, eventually graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1966.  He later enrolled at New York University (NYU), studying electrical engineering. Even as a student, he worked nights and weekends at a small grocery store to help support his family — a formative experience that planted the seeds for his future business ventures. 

Though he completed most of his coursework, Catsimatidis dropped out of NYU just eight credits short of graduation to dive fully into the grocery business — a decision that would set him on a path to extraordinary success. 

From One Small Store to a Supermarket Empire

In 1971, Catsimatidis opened his first shop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This modest store would be the humble foundation of what became the beginnings of the Red Apple Group.  Over time, he expanded aggressively — adopting business practices that distinguished his stores: long hours, free delivery, check-cashing services, and more. 

By his mid-twenties, Catsimatidis had grown to ten stores, with annual revenues reportedly reaching around $25 million — a remarkable achievement for someone so young. 

The real turning point came in 1986, when Red Apple bought out 36 supermarkets from Gristedes Foods (along with 11 affiliated specialty-food stores). That acquisition transformed Catsimatidis from a modest grocer into a major force in New York’s retail sector. 

But he didn’t stop at groceries. Over the decades, he diversified — acquiring real estate, investing in oil, refining operations, convenience stores, and even aviation. Through Red Apple Group, he built a sprawling business empire that spans supermarkets, real estate holdings, energy, and more. 

Building Wealth — The Billionaire Within

Today, John Catsimatidis’s net worth reflects decades of expansion, risk-taking, and strategic diversification. According to a 2025 profile, his fortune is estimated at approximately US $4.5 billion — a testament to his self-made success. 

That wealth stems from a combination of assets: the Gristedes supermarket chain, a substantial real estate portfolio, oil-refining assets through subsidiaries such as United Refining Company, convenience stores and gas-station operations, and long-term investments. 

Colleagues and industry watchers often point to Catsimatidis’ conservative, long-term-oriented investment strategy. While many billionaires chase flashy, high-risk opportunities, he has repeatedly emphasized stability and steady returns — an approach that, over time, fortified his empire against boom-and-bust cycles. 

His story is quintessentially American: an immigrant arriving as an infant, working nights and weekends, building something from almost nothing — and reaping the rewards of perseverance, hard work, and savvy business instincts.

Family, Relationships, and Legacy

In his personal life, Catsimatidis found a partner and collaborator in Margo Vondersaar, whom he married on October 2, 1988. Their relationship began decades earlier, back when she had served as his secretary.  Together they have two children: Andrea Catsimatidis and John Catsimatidis Jr..

Andrea has been active in politics; she serves as a leading figure within local politics and has played a significant role within the Manhattan Republican Party.  Her brother John Jr. has also risen within the family business, being promoted to President of the Red Apple Group — a clear signal that the conglomerate is transitioning to a new generation while remaining a family endeavor. 

Catsimatidis is not just a business magnate but also a public figure. For many years he has hosted a weekly radio show, The Cats Roundtable, on New York’s WABC — a platform where he discusses politics, business, and civic issues, often with his signature blunt candor.

In 2013, he made a foray into politics, running for mayor of New York City. Though he did not win, the campaign underscored his ambition, his connection to the city, and his willingness to leverage business success into public influence. 

Through both his business achievements and public presence, Catsimatidis has shaped a legacy that transcends grocery stores and real estate — he stands as a symbol of immigrant ambition, business grit, and civic engagement.

A Life Defined by Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention

John Catsimatidis’s story does not follow the classic inheritance-to-wealth narrative. Instead, it is rooted in raw ambition, long hours, hard decisions, and unflinching drive. From stocking shelves as a young man to building a multibillion-dollar empire, he embodies the kind of success few achieve.

His birthdate — September 7, 1948 — serves as a reminder: humble origins can lead to incredible heights when ambition is matched with action. And while many of his peers diversify and scale back over time, Catsimatidis continues to expand — not just in business, but in influence, family legacy, and public life.

That journey — from a Greek island to the heights of New York business — remains one of the most compelling modern rags-to-riches stories. His empire spans supermarkets, real estate, energy, media, and more; his family remains tightly woven into its leadership; and his voice — through radio and public presence — still resonates. In a time of rapid economic change, his success underscores a timeless truth: resilience, vision, and hard work can still move mountains.