Who Is the Richest Albanian in New York
The richest Albanian in New York is businessman Behgjet Pacolli. He is a Kosovo-Albanian billionaire and permanent resident of New York, with business operations spanning real estate, construction, and international diplomacy. Pacolli is the founder and president of the Mabetex Group, a Swiss-based conglomerate with major projects in Russia, the United States, and Europe. His wealth and visibility in New York have made him the most prominent Albanian figure in U.S. finance and business circles.
Pacolli was born in 1951 in Pristina, Kosovo, and built his fortune through construction and development contracts in the former Soviet Union during the 1990s. He later expanded into luxury real estate and hospitality, with properties and investments in Manhattan and other major global cities. He holds Kosovo and Swiss citizenship and has served as President of Kosovo and First Deputy Prime Minister, reinforcing his political and business profile in New York and internationally.
Net Worth and Major Business Interests
Behgjet Pacolli's net worth is estimated by Forbes at around 2.3 billion dollars, making him the wealthiest Albanian-origin individual with strong ties to New York. His wealth is primarily tied to the Mabetex Group, which has managed large-scale public and private construction projects, including renovations of the Kremlin in Moscow and high-profile commercial developments in New York and Western Europe.
Pacolli's business interests extend through subsidiaries in real estate development, luxury hospitality, and media. He has invested in Manhattan-based commercial and residential properties, and his companies have worked on major urban development contracts. He also controls businesses in energy, transport, and mining across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, with strategic partnerships and contracts that link his operations directly to New York financial and legal networks.
Career Timeline and Public Profile
Pacolli founded Mabetex in 1990 after earlier work in construction and engineering. He quickly secured major contracts in post-Soviet states, which fueled the group's rapid growth. By the 2000s, he had established a permanent presence in New York, where he engaged in real estate investment, lobbying, and diplomatic advocacy for Kosovo's recognition and development.
Political Career and New York Influence
Pacolli served as President of Kosovo in 2011 and again in later acting roles, and he has been a First Deputy Prime Minister. His New York-based activities include work with international organizations, investment forums, and diplomatic missions, reinforcing his role as a bridge between Albanian business interests and U.S. financial and political institutions. He remains a central figure in discussions about Albanian-origin wealth and influence in New York.