Italian businessman Mario Moretti Polegato has an estimated net worth of $1.82 billion as of April 2016 according to Forbes. He is the founder of Geox Group where he currently serves as Chairman. His active involvement in the footwear industry earned him his massive net worth today. Mario Moretti Polegato is considered as one of Italy's wealthiest men nowadays.

Mario Moretti Polegato was born to a family that is active in agriculture and wine but he chose to pursue a different path by making and creating shoes. Along with his five young employees, Polegato was able to produce what is known as the shoe that breathes. In 2012, the company opened new stores in three Mainland Chinese cities as well as Hong Kong and Moscow.

Due to his significant achievements in the footwear industry, he became a recipient of Ernst Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002. The following year, he was again named by Ernst and Young as the Best Italian Entrepreneur. In 2010, CNBC and The Financial Times chose him to become the recipient of European Business Leader Award (Ebla) for the Innovator of the Year category.