John Catsimatidis is a prominent figure in New York City, known for his diverse business ventures, political aspirations, and distinctive personality. This article explores his background, career, political involvement, and a notable pledge to lose weight.
From Greece to New York: The Making of a Billionaire
Born on the Greek island of Nisyros on September 7, 1948, John A. Catsimatidis immigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of six months. The family settled in West Harlem, where Catsimatidis spent his childhood. His father, who had been a lighthouse operator in Greece, worked as a busboy in New York City.
Catsimatidis graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1966. While attending college, he began working for his friend Tony's uncle in a small supermarket on 137th Street. This early experience in the grocery business laid the foundation for his future success.
Building a Business Empire
In 1971, Catsimatidis opened his first business, a Red Apple grocery store, on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Shortly after, he acquired another grocery store on 87th Street, also naming it Red Apple. By the age of 24, Catsimatidis had expanded his business to ten stores with annual sales of $25 million, earning him $1 million per year.
By the summer of 1981, Red Apple boasted 27 stores across the Bronx and Manhattan, with annual sales reaching approximately $40 million. In 1986, Red Apple made a significant acquisition, purchasing 36 Gristedes supermarkets and 11 affiliated Charles & Co. speciality-food stores from the Southland Corporation. This move solidified Catsimatidis' presence in the New York City grocery market.
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In addition to supermarkets, Catsimatidis diversified his business interests. In 1986, he acquired United Refining Co., which owns gasoline refineries in Pennsylvania and Alabama. Through his company, the Red Apple Group, Catsimatidis has holdings in energy, retail, aviation, and real estate. As of 2015, the Red Apple Group ranked 156th on Forbes magazine's list of "America's largest private companies," with revenue of $3 billion and 8,000 employees.
Political Aspirations and Involvement
Catsimatidis has been actively involved in politics for many years, considering a run for mayor of New York City as early as 2003. He has been a generous donor to both Republican and Democratic campaigns. Described as a "longtime," "loyal," and "high-level Clinton donor," Catsimatidis contributed a significant sum to the Clinton Presidential Center. He was also a member of Hillary Clinton's finance team during her 2008 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
In 2013, Catsimatidis ran for mayor of New York City as a Republican, but lost in the primary to Joseph J. Lhota. In the September 2013 Republican primary, Catsimatidis lost to Joseph J. Lhota. Throughout his political career, Catsimatidis has proposed various policies, including reviving the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Catsimatidis hosts the talk radio show The Cats Roundtable on Sunday mornings. He also hosts the Cats at Night show.
A Pledge to Lose Weight
In addition to his business and political endeavors, Catsimatidis has also made headlines for his personal life. In the context of a potential mayoral run, Catsimatidis acknowledged his weight and pledged to lose thirty pounds before the race.
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Personal Life
On October 2, 1988, Catsimatidis married Margaret "Margo" Vondersaar at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York. They met when she became his secretary in 1972. Catsimatidis and his wife have two adult children, Andrea and John Jr..
In the 2024 Forbes 400 "richest people in America" list, Catsimatidis ranked 299th, with a personal net worth estimated at $4.5 billion.
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