Evangelos Marinakis is a Greek shipping magnate, media investor, and football-club owner best known for controlling Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest, and for owning Rio Ave as well. Public estimates of his wealth vary widely, but the most commonly cited recent range is roughly $3.1 billion to $7 billion, with some sources listing him and his family at $5.1 billion–$7.0 billion.
Born on 30 July 1967 in Piraeus, Greece, Marinakis comes from a prominent business family. His father, Miltiadis Marinakis, was a shipowner and politician. Today, Evangelos Marinakis is described as the founder and owner of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., a major figure in Greek business and sport, and a committed philanthropist.
Marinakis operates at the intersection of Greek shipping, European football, and media. His ownership of multiple clubs reflects a trend of multi-club ownership in football, often driven by wealthy investors. The shipping industry in Greece is a traditional source of wealth, and Marinakis has leveraged it to acquire sports assets.
Who is Evangelos Marinakis?
Key Insights
- Evangelos Marinakis built his fortune through Capital Maritime Trading Corp., a shipping empire.
- He owns three prominent football clubs across Europe: Olympiacos (Greece), Nottingham Forest (England), and Rio Ave (Portugal).
- His control of Nottingham Forest has been subject to recent legal scrutiny, with a BBC article in August 2025 questioning his status.
- Marinakis is also a media owner and philanthropist, involved in numerous social causes in Greece.
- Personal details such as his height and religion are often searched but not widely documented; he is reported to be Greek Orthodox.
- His son Miltiades Marinakis has set up his own company, Shopflix.
- Allegations linked to Greek football, including the Koriopolis match-fixing investigation, have been reported but are not settled findings.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evangelos Marinakis (also known as Vangelis Marinakis) |
| Born | 30 July 1967 (age 57–58) |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Occupation | Shipowner, businessman, football club owner, media owner |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 billion (Forbes 2026); other estimates up to $7 billion |
| Known For | Owner of Olympiacos FC, Nottingham Forest FC, Rio Ave FC; founder of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. |
| Religion | Reported as Greek Orthodox (not confirmed across all sources) |
| Children | Four: three daughters and one son (Miltiades Marinakis named) |
| Height | Approximately 6’0″ (183 cm) per one source, but not widely substantiated |
What is Evangelos Marinakis’ Net Worth?
Evangelos Marinakis’ net worth is difficult to pin down precisely because different sources use different valuation methods and dates. According to Forbes, his net worth was estimated at around $1.5 billion in 2026. However, a number of other sources place the figure much higher: one billionaire-profile site lists $7.0 billion, another gives $5.1 billion, and a football-oriented site attributes $3.84 billion to Forbes (though the Forbes figure itself is lower). The safest synthesis is that Marinakis is very wealthy, but the exact figure depends heavily on the source and valuation date.
The spread in reported net worth—from $3 billion to $7 billion—reflects different asset valuations, debt assumptions, and the timing of assessments. None of these figures should be considered definitive.
How Did Evangelos Marinakis Make His Money?
Marinakis’ primary source of wealth is shipping, particularly through Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., a company he founded and owns. The company operates a fleet of vessels and is a significant player in the global shipping industry. He also has media holdings and football club assets, which contribute to his overall wealth. According to Sporting News, his wealth comes from shipping, football, and media.
What is the Capital Maritime Trading Corp.?
Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. is a shipping company founded by Evangelos Marinakis. It is a key part of his business empire and is described on his personal website as a leading Greek shipping enterprise. The company operates a diverse fleet, including tankers and bulk carriers.
Who is Evangelos Marinakis’ Wife and Family?
Evangelos Marinakis is married to Athanasia Marinakis, who is also listed in some sources as Athanasia Kassioti. The couple has four children: three daughters and one son. Their son, Miltiades Marinakis, is named in public records and has founded his own company, Shopflix, according to Wikipedia. The full names of the daughters are not widely reported, reflecting a degree of privacy around the family.
While the number of children (four) and the existence of a son are consistent across multiple sources, the exact names and ages of the daughters are not confirmed in authoritative public records.
Which Football Clubs Does Evangelos Marinakis Own?
Evangelos Marinakis owns three football clubs: Olympiacos in Greece, Nottingham Forest in England, and Rio Ave in Portugal. He acquired Olympiacos in 2010, becoming majority owner. In 2017, he purchased a controlling stake (reported as 80% for £50 million) in Nottingham Forest, a club he later guided back to the Premier League. In 2020, he took control of Rio Ave. His multi-club ownership model is a notable feature of European football.
Marinakis is also a media owner, and his profile includes extensive philanthropic work in Greece, as noted by the American Journal of Transportation. His role in football is comparable to that of other football figures like Gareth Bale in terms of being a prominent name in the sport, though his involvement is on the ownership side.
Is Evangelos Marinakis Still in Control of Nottingham Forest?
As of the most recent reports, Evangelos Marinakis is widely identified as the owner and principal controller of Nottingham Forest. However, a BBC Sport article from August 2025 raised questions about his control, noting legal challenges and potential regulatory issues. The exact current legal status of his control remains ambiguous, and the BBC article indicates ongoing questions. Several sources continue to refer to him as the owner, but the situation may evolve.
The BBC article titled “Who is Marinakis and is he still in control of Nottingham Forest?” suggested that there were legal and regulatory uncertainties. The outcome of any proceedings could affect his ownership.
What is the Massage Controversy Involving Evangelos Marinakis?
There is limited public information about a “massage” controversy. The query may stem from an unverified incident or rumor; no authoritative source confirms details. The Public Report UK mentions allegations and investigations connected to Greek football, including the Koriopolis match-fixing investigation and passport-fraud claims, but these are reported as allegations rather than settled findings. The “massage controversy” is not substantiated in the available sources.
Timeline of Evangelos Marinakis’ Career and Ownership
- 1967: Born in Piraeus, Greece, son of shipowner and politician Miltiadis Marinakis.
- 1990s: Founded Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., building a shipping empire.
- 2010: Acquired Olympiacos FC, becoming majority owner.
- 2017: Purchased Nottingham Forest FC from the Fawaz Al-Hasawi family.
- 2020: Took control of Rio Ave FC in Portugal.
- 2023–2025: Legal challenges and questions about his control of Nottingham Forest; BBC article published August 2025.
- 2026: Forbes updates net worth; Marinakis continues to expand his business interests.
What is Known and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Evangelos Marinakis is a Greek shipowner and the owner of Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest, and Rio Ave. | Exact net worth is an estimate by Forbes; actual figures may vary across sources. |
| He is the founder of Capital Maritime Trading Corp. | The full details of his marriage (wife’s name) are not publicly confirmed. |
| He is the son of Miltiadis Marinakis. | The exact number of children and their names are not widely reported. |
| He is a media owner and philanthropist. | His height is not publicly available. |
| He acquired Nottingham Forest in 2017. | The nature of the “massage” controversy is unclear from available sources. |
| He is reported to be Greek Orthodox. | The current legal status of his control over Nottingham Forest remains ambiguous. |
Background and Context
Evangelos Marinakis operates at the intersection of Greek shipping, European football, and media. His ownership of multiple clubs reflects a trend of multi-club ownership in football, often driven by wealthy investors. The shipping industry in Greece is a traditional source of wealth, and Marinakis has leveraged it to acquire sports assets. The recent BBC report suggests potential regulatory or legal challenges that could affect his football holdings. His philanthropic work in Greece adds to his public profile, but the lack of transparency around personal details (family, height, religion) may be due to a deliberate privacy stance.
Sources and Quotes
“Marinakis is the owner of football clubs Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest and Rio Ave. He is the son of shipowner and politician Miltiadis Marinakis from Crete.”
— Wikipedia
“Who is Marinakis and is he still in control of Nottingham Forest?”
— BBC Sport, August 2025
“Evangelos Marinakis owns shipping group Capital Maritime Trading Corp. as well as a media conglomerate and stakes in several soccer teams.”
— Forbes
“Evangelos Marinakis is a leading Greek shipowner, and a football clubs & media owner, who promotes numerous social causes.”
— Personal website
Summary and Outlook
Evangelos Marinakis remains a significant figure in global football and shipping, but his net worth and control of Nottingham Forest are subject to ongoing scrutiny. The ownership status of Nottingham Forest may be resolved in the coming months, with potential legal outcomes. Marinakis may continue to expand his football portfolio or invest in other sports. His shipping business remains a stable source of income. For further reading on football ownership, see the profile of Van Dijk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Evangelos Marinakis’ height?
Evangelos Marinakis’ height is not publicly disclosed. One source gives an approximate height of 6’0″ (183 cm), but this is not widely substantiated.
What is the massage controversy involving Evangelos Marinakis?
There is limited public information about a “massage” controversy. The query may stem from an unverified incident or rumor; no authoritative source confirms details.
Does Evangelos Marinakis have a son?
Yes, he has at least one son named Miltiades Marinakis, who founded Shopflix.
Does Evangelos Marinakis have a daughter?
Yes, he has at least one daughter. Sources indicate he has three daughters, but their names are not widely reported.
What is Evangelos Marinakis’ religion?
He is reported to be Greek Orthodox, though this is not confirmed across all sources.
How did Evangelos Marinakis make his money?
He built his fortune through shipping, primarily via Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., and also has media and football investments.
Is Evangelos Marinakis still in control of Nottingham Forest?
As of the latest reports, he is still considered the owner, but a BBC article from August 2025 raised questions about legal challenges and his control.
Which football clubs does Evangelos Marinakis own?
He owns Olympiacos (Greece), Nottingham Forest (England), and Rio Ave (Portugal).
Oliver Harrison is Senior Reporter at TheUKDaily.uk, covering breaking national news and general UK stories.