What is George Economou's net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, George Economou's estimated net worth is $5.336 billion, ranking #814 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.

How did George Economou make their money?

George Economou's wealth primarily comes from Shipping, most notably through Shipping.

Where is George Economou from?

George Economou is from Greece.

How old is George Economou?

George Economou is 72 years old.

Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#814

Image: Los Alamos National Laboratory | Attribution | via Wikimedia Commons

George Economou

CEO, Shipping

Monaco

Real-Time Net Worth

$5.34B

Estimated based on Shipping stock value as of September 10, 2026

0% (24h)

Age

Source

Shipping

Industry

Logistics

Citizenship

Greece

Biography

George Economou is a Greek shipping magnate with an estimated net worth of $5.3 billion. His wealth stems from his success in the shipping industry, specifically through his privately-held TMS Group, which operates fleets of tankers, dry bulk carriers, and other vessels. Economou's career began in Greece before moving into brokerage and management roles in New York. In 1986, he launched his own shipping ventures. His career includes founding DryShips Inc. in 2004 and taking it public in 2005. He is known for his strategic expansion and financial maneuvers within the volatile shipping market.

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Data Updated

Sep 10, 2026

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Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

Year	Net Worth	Global Rank	Source
2026	$5.34B	#814	Forbes Real-Time
2025	$5.30B	—	Forbes List
2024	$5.30B	—	Historical Record

Portfolio Holdings

DryShips Inc.

DRYS•Marine

Ownership

34%

Market Cap

$517M

Stock Price

$5.24

Athens, Greece

437 employees

Founded 2004

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

George Economou was born in Athens, Greece, in 1953. His father owned a small paper-products business. He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning advanced degrees in naval architecture and marine engineering.

Rise to Success

Economou's career in shipping began in the 1980s. He launched his own shipping ventures in 1986. He founded DryShips Inc. in 2004 and took the company public on NASDAQ in 2005. In 2019, DryShips was taken private. Economou has been recognized for his influence in the shipping industry and was ranked 13th in the Lloyd's List 'One Hundred Most Influential People in the Shipping Industry' in 2025.

Key Business Strategies

Economou has a strategy of expansion and has been known to buy and sell assets, and make equity raises. He has made moves to both public and private markets. His strategy has involved navigating the cyclical nature of the shipping market.

Philanthropy

Information regarding specific philanthropy amounts is not available in the search results.

Career Milestones

1986

Launched Shipping Ventures

Began his own shipping ventures with initial investments in dry bulk and tanker operations.

2004

Founded DryShips Inc.

Established DryShips Inc., a shipping company.

2005

DryShips IPO

Took DryShips public on the NASDAQ.

2019

DryShips taken private

Took DryShips private again at a $456 million valuation.

2018

Sold Ocean Rig

Sold offshore drilling firm Ocean Rig to TransOcean at a $2.7 billion valuation.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""If you don't like it, you don't have to be here. Sell the stock.""

Leadership Principles

Strategic Risk-Taking

Emphasizes seasoned risk-taking in private structures to prioritize stability over speculation.

Controversies & Challenges

2016-2017

DryShips Stock Volatility

DryShips experienced extreme stock volatility, including a 1,500% surge followed by a near-total collapse, and reverse stock splits.

Ongoing

Shareholder Lawsuits and SEC Investigations

Attracted shareholder lawsuits and SEC investigations related to DryShips affiliates.

Billionaires Connected to George Economou

Peers in Logistics

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Klaus-Michael Kuehne#44 · $44.2B
Idan Ofer#75 · $32.1B
John Fredriksen#121 · $22.3B
Enrique Razon Jr.#129 · $21.4B

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Richest in Greece

Vicky Safra & family#102 · $25.5B
Maria Angelicoussis#543 · $7.49B
Evangelos Marinakis & family#576 · $7.03B
Aristotelis Mistakidis#910 · $4.81B
George Prokopiou & family#938 · $4.67B

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Adjacent Global Ranks

Andy Mills#811 · $5.35B
Dan Snyder#812 · $5.34B
Sofia Högberg Schörling#813 · $5.34B
Phil Ruffin#815 · $5.33B

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is George Economou's net worth in 2026?: As of 2026, George Economou's estimated net worth is $5.336 billion, ranking #814 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did George Economou make their money?: George Economou's wealth primarily comes from Shipping, most notably through Shipping.
Where is George Economou from?: George Economou is from Greece.
How old is George Economou?: George Economou is 72 years old.

Sources & References

George Economou — Forbes profile — Forbes