Michael Latifi: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family and Sofina Foods Career

Introduction

Michael Latifi is a Canadian businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder, owner, and executive chairman of Sofina Foods Inc.

His business journey started small. Today, his company operates internationally and employs thousands of people.

He also has strong motorsport connections. His son, Nicholas Latifi, previously raced in Formula 1. Michael himself made a major investment in McLaren Group in 2018.

But his life started differently. He arrived in Canada as a teenager, worked at McDonald’s, and paid his way through university.

Michael Latifi Quick Facts

Details	Information
Full Name	Mehrdad Michael Latifi
Popular Name	Michael Latifi
Birth	October 1962
Age	64 years (2026)
Birthplace	Iran
Nationality	Canadian
Profession	Businessman, Investor
Education	Concordia University, McGill University
Qualification	Electrical Engineering Degree, MBA
Wife	Marilena Latifi
Children	Four
Famous Son	Nicholas Latifi
Company	Sofina Foods Inc.
Position	Founder and Executive Chairman
Estimated Net Worth	$3.5 billion (USD, October 2026)
Residence	Toronto, Canada
Known For	Sofina Foods and McLaren investment

Who Is Michael Latifi?

Michael Latifi is a successful Iranian-born Canadian entrepreneur. He built his wealth through food manufacturing.

His company, Sofina Foods, produces meat, seafood, and prepared food products. These products reach supermarkets and foodservice businesses.

His business interests also extend beyond food.

In 2018, he invested over £200 million in McLaren Group through an investment company he controlled.

His name became familiar to racing fans. Much of that attention came through his son, Nicholas.

Still, his main business remains Sofina Foods.

Early Life and Background

He was born in Iran in October 1962.

His early years brought major changes. In 1978, he moved to Canada to study.

He was only a teenager.

The Iranian Revolution changed his circumstances. He found himself living abroad as a political refugee.

Money was a real concern. He had to work while studying.

He took jobs at McDonald’s. He also tutored other students in mathematics while improving his English.

That period was demanding.

But it helped him learn independence. He continued studying despite financial pressure and the challenges of settling in a new country.

Years later, those early experiences became an important part of his business story.

Michael Latifi Education

Education helped shape his career.

He studied electrical engineering at Concordia University in Montreal.

He graduated with distinction.

He then attended McGill University, where he completed his Master of Business Administration in 1989.

The MBA gave him business knowledge to build on his technical education.

Both universities are part of his documented academic history.

McGill later recognized his business achievements with its Distinguished Leader Award in 2026.

Michael Latifi Career Beginnings

His career grew through business ownership.

In 1995, he acquired Vienna Meat Products, a Canadian food-processing company.

The business had around 60 employees.

It was a modest starting point compared with the company he would later build.

He worked to expand operations. Acquiring established food businesses became a major part of his growth plan.

The business gradually became larger.

New factories joined the group. More food brands came under its ownership.

These purchases helped build the company now known as Sofina Foods.

How Michael Latifi Built Sofina Foods

Sofina Foods Inc. was established in 2007.

The company’s roots go back to the 1995 Vienna Meat Products acquisition.

Its growth happened over many years.

In 2001, the business acquired Quality Meat Packers’ Brampton plant.

The next purchases followed.

Cuddy Food Products joined in 2003. Fletcher’s Fine Foods followed in 2004.

Then came larger expansion plans.

In 2010, Sofina acquired Lilydale Inc., a well-known Canadian poultry business.

In 2012, the company added Janes Family Foods, Fearmans Pork, and Santa Maria Foods.

These deals expanded its product range.

Sofina was no longer a small processor. It had become a major Canadian food manufacturer.

The company continued buying businesses.

In 2021, it acquired Eight Fifty Food Group, expanding its operations into Europe.

Another important purchase came in 2025 with the acquisition of Finnebrogue in Northern Ireland.

Sofina Foods Brands and Business Operations

Sofina Foods is headquartered in Markham, Ontario.

It is privately owned.

The company sells products through supermarkets, restaurants, and other foodservice customers.

Its major brands include:

• Janes
• Lilydale
• Mastro
• San Daniele
• Cuddy
• Fletcher’s
• Vienna
• Zamzam
• Young’s Seafood

The business handles chicken, turkey, pork, beef, fish, and prepared food products.

Its international operations include Canada and several European countries.

McGill University reported in June 2026 that Sofina employed approximately 18,000 people.

That is a huge change.

The business started with only 60 employees in 1995.

Forbes has also estimated the company’s annual revenue at around US$4.7 billion.

Because Sofina Foods is privately owned, detailed financial statements are not publicly available in the same way as those of listed companies.

Michael Latifi and McLaren Investment

His investment in McLaren attracted attention.

In May 2018, he invested more than £200 million in McLaren Group.

The investment came through Nidala (BVI) Limited, an entity he controlled.

At the time, McLaren Group included racing, automotive, and technology businesses.

Forbes describes the deal as an investment of approximately US$270 million for a 10% stake.

It was a major financial commitment.

Latifi also served as a director of McLaren Group Limited.

UK company records show that he joined its board on May 30, 2018.

He resigned on March 20, 2024.

His original investment is documented. His exact ownership percentage following later corporate changes is not established here.

Michael Latifi Wife and Family

Michael Latifi’s wife is Marilena Latifi.

The couple have four children.

Their family has been involved in charitable work for many years.

One of their best-known children is Nicholas Latifi, a former Formula 1 driver.

Another son, Michael Latifi Jr., has been publicly mentioned in connection with family charitable activities.

The family generally keeps much of its personal life private.

Still, their community work has received public attention.

Michael and Marilena have supported healthcare initiatives through Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

Their activities include fundraising for the hospital’s Women & Babies Program.

Who Is Nicholas Latifi?

Nicholas Latifi is a Canadian former Formula 1 driver.

He competed for Williams Racing during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Formula 1 seasons.

His racing career made the family name familiar to motorsport audiences.

His father already had business interests in motorsport.

The 2018 McLaren investment attracted attention because Nicholas was building his professional racing career at that time.

Still, the McLaren investment and Nicholas’s Williams racing career were separate matters.

Michael Latifi Net Worth in 2026

Michael Latifi is a billionaire businessman.

According to Forbes, his estimated net worth was $3.5 billion as of October 31, 2026.

His main source of wealth is food processing.

Sofina Foods forms the largest publicly identified part of his business interests.

He has also invested in McLaren.

His estimated fortune comes from business ownership and investments.

It does not represent cash held in a bank account.

The actual value of privately owned businesses can change.

His personal salary and yearly income have not been reliably disclosed.

Michael Latifi Philanthropy and Charity Work

Business is only part of his public life.

He and his family have supported several charitable causes.

The Sofina Foundation was established in 2007.

It supports children, families, and community programs.

The family also started the Sofina & Amici Golf Classic in 2008.

The fundraising event has supported healthcare initiatives, including programs at Sunnybrook.

Their charitable work has included support for maternity care and mental health services.

A 2026 industry report stated that the Sofina Foundation had raised more than $9 million to support children and families across Canada.

That work continues to form part of his public business profile.

Michael Latifi Awards and Recognition

His business achievements have received recognition.

In March 2026, McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management honoured him for his career achievements.

He received further recognition in June 2026.

McGill University presented him with its Distinguished Leader Award at the McGill Toronto Excellence Awards.

The award recognized his business leadership and the growth of Sofina Foods.

He has remained involved in the company.

In September 2026, Finnebrogue reported that he visited its Northern Ireland facilities.

During the visit, he met employees and toured production areas.

Michael Latifi Business Timeline

Year	Career Milestone
1978	Moved from Iran to Canada
1989	Completed MBA at McGill University
1995	Acquired Vienna Meat Products
2001	Expanded through a Brampton plant acquisition
2003	Acquired Cuddy Food Products
2004	Acquired Fletcher’s Fine Foods
2007	Established Sofina Foods Inc.
2010	Acquired Lilydale
2012	Acquired several major food businesses
2018	Invested in McLaren Group
2021	Acquired Eight Fifty Food Group
2024	Resigned as McLaren Group Limited director
2025	Sofina acquired Finnebrogue
2026	Received McGill’s Distinguished Leader Award

What Makes His Business Career Different?

His background is unusual.

He arrived in Canada as a young immigrant. He worked regular jobs while studying.

Years later, he owned a major international food business.

His engineering background came first.

Then he studied business management.

He built Sofina by acquiring existing companies and expanding food production.

The results took decades.

His company grew from a small Canadian operation into a food group serving several countries.

That long-term growth remains his biggest business achievement.

Final Thought

Michael Latifi’s career shows how far a small business can grow.

He started with limited resources.

His first major food business had just 60 employees.

Today, Sofina Foods operates internationally and employs thousands.

His wealth and McLaren investment attract attention. But the growth of Sofina Foods remains the main story behind his business career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Michael Latifi?

Michael Latifi is an Iranian-born Canadian businessman. He founded Sofina Foods Inc. and serves as its executive chairman.

2. How old is Michael Latifi?

He is 64 years old as of November 2026. He was born in October 1962.

3. Where was Michael Latifi born?

He was born in Iran. He moved to Canada as a teenager.

4. What is Michael Latifi’s net worth?

Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3.5 billion on October 31, 2026.

5. Who is Michael Latifi’s wife?

His wife is Marilena Latifi. They have four children.

6. Is Michael Latifi the father of Nicholas Latifi?

Yes. Nicholas Latifi is his son and a former Formula 1 driver.

7. What company does Michael Latifi own?

He owns Sofina Foods Inc., a Canadian food manufacturer based in Markham, Ontario.

8. Where did Michael Latifi study?

He studied electrical engineering at Concordia University and completed his MBA at McGill University in 1989.

9. Did Michael Latifi invest in McLaren?

Yes. He made an investment worth more than £200 million in McLaren Group in 2018.

10. Where does Michael Latifi live?

Forbes lists Toronto, Canada, as his residence.