Samih Sawiris’s net worth over time
Only dates with a published estimate are shown. Nothing is filled in between. Tap or hover a bar to see the source.
See the numbers as a table
| Date | Estimate | Source |
| 2007 | $1.5 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2007 |
| 2008 | $2.9 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2008 |
| 2010 | $1.5 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2010 |
| 2011 | $1.4 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2011 |
| 2014 | $1.3 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2014 |
| 2015 | $1 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2015 |
| 2026 | $1.4 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2026 |
| Oct 2026 | $1.4 billion | Forbes Real-Time Billionaires · Forbes real-time estimate |
Where the money comes from
These are the main sources of wealth named in the reporting we cite. No published source breaks the total into exact amounts, so we do not show percentages.
Samih Sawiris’s fortune in real-life terms
Based on the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires estimate above. Median full-time U.S. pay is $65,416 a year ($1,258 a week, BLS, Q2 2026), before taxes. Typical (median) U.S. family net worth is $216,100 (Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances).
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Samih Sawiris has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Samih Sawiris profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is down from a peak of $2.9 billion.
Samih Sawiris is an Egyptian businessman best known for building resort and hotel projects through Orascom Development Holding. He founded National Marine Boat Factory, then started Orascom Projects for Touristic Development in 1996 and Orascom Hotels and Development in 1998. Those businesses later came together under Orascom Development Holding AG. He led the company from its incorporation and stepped down in December 2021, when his son Naguib Samih took over the chairman role.
His wealth is tied to real estate and hotels. Forbes says he is worth $1.4 billion on its real-time billionaires tracker as of October 20, 2026. Orascom Development builds and runs resorts in Egypt, Montenegro and Switzerland, giving him a long stake in tourism property. He also owns interests in Orascom Construction with his brothers, through the company their father established in 1950. Outside his main group, he invested in FC Luzern, Bidroom and the RT Group travel business.
How Samih Sawiris makes money
Most of Sawiris' fortune comes from resort real estate and hotels. He founded Orascom Projects for Touristic Development in 1996 and Orascom Hotels and Development in 1998, and those companies later merged into Orascom Development Holding AG. The group develops and operates holiday destinations, with projects in Egypt and Switzerland in the earlier phase and, according to Forbes, across Egypt, Montenegro and Switzerland. That mix puts his business on both the property side and the tourism side.
His money also connects to other investments and family holdings. Forbes notes that he and his brothers own stakes in publicly traded Orascom Construction, the business their father set up in 1950. He bought a 12.5% stake in FC Luzern in 2011, invested in Bidroom in 2017 and, in December 2019, acquired Thomas Cook Germany through RT Group after buying 74.9% of that company in 2014. He is also a founder and board member of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.
Forbes net worth over time
Forbes tracked big swings in Sawiris' fortune across different years. It placed him at $1.5 billion in 2007, then $2.9 billion in 2008. By 2010, Forbes had him back at his 2007 level, and then at $1.4 billion in 2011. The later Forbes lists showed $1.3 billion in 2014 and $1 billion in 2015. Those changes match the fact that his wealth is tied to resort development, hotels and related travel businesses.
The latest Forbes reading puts him back at $1.4 billion in 2026. Forbes also carried the same figure on its real-time billionaires tracker in October 2026, including the October 20, 2026 update. His current wealth base still points to the same core assets: Orascom Development's resort and hotel operations, plus his stake in Orascom Construction. By 2021, he had stepped down from the top job at Orascom Development, but the business remained central to his fortune.
Career and money timeline
- 1950
His father established Orascom Construction, where Samih Sawiris and his brothers later held stakes.
- 1996
He founded Orascom Projects for Touristic Development.
- 1998
He launched Orascom Hotels and Development.
- 2011
He bought a 12.5% stake in FC Luzern.
- 2019
Through RT Group, he acquired Thomas Cook Germany in December 2019.
- 2021
He stepped down from Orascom Development Holding and transferred duties to his son.
Samih Sawiris net worth FAQ
What is Samih Sawiris's net worth?
Samih Sawiris's net worth is an estimated $1.4 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Samih Sawiris profile (October 20, 2026). It is an estimate, not an official figure.
How did Samih Sawiris get so rich?
The main sources named in the reporting we cite are: real estate, hotels.
Is Samih Sawiris a billionaire?
Yes. Forbes Real-Time Billionaires estimates Samih Sawiris is worth $1.4 billion.
How has Samih Sawiris's net worth changed?
The earliest published estimate we track is $1.5 billion (2007, Forbes World's Billionaires List 2007). The latest is $1.4 billion (October 20, 2026).
What company is Samih Sawiris most known for?
He is best known for founding and leading Orascom Development Holding. The company builds and operates resorts and hotel projects.
What businesses are behind his wealth?
Forbes ties his fortune to real estate and hotels. He also has stakes connected to Orascom Construction and other travel-related investments.
Sources
- Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Samih Sawiris profile (October 20, 2026)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2007, Samih Sawiris profile (March 2007)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2008, Samih Sawiris profile (March 5, 2008)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2010, Samih Sawiris profile (March 15, 2010)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2011, Samih Sawiris profile (March 9, 2011)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2014, Samih Sawiris profile (March 3, 2014)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2015, Samih Sawiris profile (March 2, 2015)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2026, Samih Sawiris profile (March 10, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Usual Weekly Earnings (Q2 2026) (July 2026)
- Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances (median family net worth, Table 4) (October 2026)
- Background facts: Wikipedia, Samih Sawiris (accessed October 22, 2026). Used for career facts only, never for figures.
Photo: International Students’ Committee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Every number on this page is an estimate published by the source named next to it. We never fill in years with our own guesses. How we handle estimates.