This Former Pizza Boy Now Owns an Empire and Makes Billions
Mohamed Mansour did not come from boardrooms or inherited privilege. He spent his early years working long shifts at a pizza shop, handling orders, dealing with customers, and figuring out how to get through busy nights without falling behind. That experience shaped how he thought about work, risk, and opportunity. Over time, those instincts turned into smart decisions, steady expansion, and eventually a business empire worth billions.
He Walked Away With His Leg—Barely
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At ten years old, Mansour got hit by a car. The accident nearly cost him a leg, but one doctor insisted on trying to save it. Three years in bed gave him more time with books than most kids get in school. He credits that recovery period for sharpening his focus, which later helped him handle setbacks.
That Pizza Gig Wasn’t a Side Hustle
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His family’s cotton empire was seized by the Egyptian government while he was studying in the U.S. Practically overnight, he went from frat-house comfort to scraping by on minimum wage at a pizza shop. Tips paid for his groceries, and rent came down to egg sandwiches and skipping meals.
Cancer Didn’t Get the Last Word
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A diagnosis of kidney cancer at 20 would rattle anyone. Yet for Mansour, it was another problem to solve. He had surgery, did radiation, and got back to work. What stuck with him wasn’t the pain—it was the reminder that every day is borrowed time. He’d later say that surviving gave him urgency, not fear.
The Car Deal That Changed Everything
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Back in Egypt, his father began rebuilding the family business by selling cars rather than cotton. Mohamed helped land a major deal with General Motors in the 1970s. It started small—just 50 cars a year. A few decades later, his company became the world’s largest distributor of GM vehicles.
He Invested in Facebook Before It Went Public
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Mansour saw potential in tech startups long before they made headlines. Through his London-based firm Man Capital, he backed Facebook, Twitter, and Spotify before most people had heard of them. He also surrounded himself with smart advisors and knew when to trust his gut. That early vision paid off again and again.
He Built a Global Automotive Empire
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Mansour returned to Egypt and stepped into a family business that had started over from nothing. His father shifted from cotton to cars and landed a partnership with General Motors. Mohamed pushed it further. What began as a small automotive operation grew into one of the world’s largest GM distribution networks, plus a Caterpillar empire.
He’s Officially a Knight
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He was formally knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his business achievements and philanthropic work, an honor granted to only one other Egyptian. Mansour rarely emphasizes the title, but its significance is hard to miss. It reflects the scale of his journey and the credibility he earned after rebuilding his life and establishing himself among influential global figures.
The Family Business Is Now Global
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Man Capital, the family office he helped create, manages investments across tech, real estate, energy, and education. It’s based in London and plays behind the scenes in deals across continents. While some firms chase trends, Mansour’s team builds long-term plays. He compares investing to building machines that run well, even when he’s not in the room.
He Funds Soccer Teams and Youth Academies
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Through the Right to Dream Foundation, which he co-founded, Mansour helps fund youth academies and professional soccer teams in Egypt, Europe, and the U.S. At the 2022 World Cup, seven players from his program competed on the global stage.
Intelligence Is His Next Big Bet
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Lately, Mansour has shifted his focus to AI. His venture firm, 1984, launched in San Francisco, backs early-stage startups working on machine learning and automation. He’s called it the next major shift in how the world functions.